Operation Shanela has assisted the Police in Mmametlhake to be vigilant which led to the swift arrest of a business robbery suspect (35) shortly after a business robbery incident was reported at Marapyane on Thursday, 19 October 2023 around 17:50. During the arrest, several properties believed to have been stolen during the robbery were recovered.
According to information, on that day at about 17:00 a group of armed men driving in a white VW Polo stormed into a shop and allegedly pretended as if they wanted to buy some items. When a male person who was selling at the time opened the burglar door to assist them, they suddenly shoved him inside the shop whilst wielding firearms. It is further reported that they demanded for cash and assaulted him, took undisclosed amount of cash from the till, three mobile phones as well as other groceries then fled the scene, leaving the victim helpless on the floor.
Thanks to a good Samaritan, who is a customer that came a few minutes later after the incident to purchase some items. The incident was reported to the Police who were busy operating in the area whilst on the lookout for the said VW Polo and that enabled them to swiftly respond.
The vehicle, matching the description of the one reported to have been involved in the robbery was spotted along the Mmametlhake Road, driving in high speed but when members attempted to stop it, the driver continued and ignored them. A high speed chase then ensued and when the suspects realized that the men and women in Blue were not backing down, the driver stopped the vehicle where three suspects quickly got out then took off on foot before disappearing into the nearby bushes to evade arrest.
When members checked inside the vehicle, they found only one suspect left. A search was then conducted and it was during this period when the astute members discovered an undisclosed amount of cash, groceries, music speaker, and some sneakers in the boot of the vehicle hence the man was arrested then charged for business robbery as well as for possession of suspected stolen properties. The vehicle as well as the recovered items were confiscated for further investigation. Preliminary investigation shows that the vehicle belongs to the brother of the arrested man.
The suspect is expected to appear at the Mbibana Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 23 October 2023 facing the said charges.
The management of the SAPS in Mpumalanga has gladly welcomed the arrest and encouraged members of the public with information on the whereabouts of the other suspects to call the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111 or send information via MySAPS App. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.
Content retrieved from SAPS.
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