Media Statement from Eastern Cape Media Centre
Corporate Communication
South African Police Service

KING WILIAM’S TOWN: The  Multi-Disciplinary Task Team led by the Dordrecht and Indwe Visible Policing, Public Order Policing and Elliot K9 Unit arrested eight (8) suspects, aged between 24 and 44, who allegedly robbed a local grocery store on Sunday 7 February 2016 at about 17:15. The suspects were arrested within hours after the robbery was reported to the police at about 19:45. 
It is alleged that, just before the shop’s closing time, six (6) men entered and robbed the customers of their personal belongings and took an undisclosed amount of money and cigarettes. The suspects also demanded the keys to a Corsa vehicle from one of the customers and fled. Two suspects escaped from the scene and one was apprehended by public and handed over to the police. Police believe that four (4) other suspects were waiting outside the shop in a Quantum bus. The suspects then drove in both vehicles towards the direction of Indwe.

Police were immediately alerted and they gave chase. Upon realising that police were on their heels, the suspects abandoned the Corsa and jumped into the Quantum bus. Seven suspects were arrested near Indwe and one suspect managed to escape.

An undisclosed amount of money, ten (10) cell phones, three (3) firearms and ammunition, one toy gun, a laptop and laminate machine were recovered and the Quantum bus was also confiscated.

All the suspects will appear in the Dordrecht Magistrates Court tomorrow, 9 February 2016 on charges of business robbery and possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

Two suspects are still at large and police are following up leads and arrests are imminent.

In another unrelated incident, 3 suspect aged between 27 and 35 were arrested on 5 February 2015 at about 03:00 at their places of residence. The suspects have been linked to a local grocery store robbery that occurred on 2 February 2016 at about 19:20. It is alleged that the suspects pounced into the store just before closing time and demanded cash and took cigarettes. They fled the scene on foot and police have been following leads until they were arrested. One suspect was found in possession of an unlicensed firearm, Z88 pistol with serial number filed off.

The suspects will appear in the court on 8 February 2016 on charges of business robbery and unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lt General Celiwe Binta commended the members who arrested the suspects in both incidents. “Police in the Province are committed to fight crime and its manifestation with all the resources at their disposal. The arrests must send a strong message to criminals who think they will target small towns in our Province, that we will arrest them. The arrests are also meeting the SAPS’ organisational objections and the expectations of the communities we serve”, said Lt General Binta. 

She concluded by thanking the community for apprehending and handing the suspect to the police.

Media Enquiries: Colonel Sibongile Soci – 079 525 0464 & Capt Ursula Roelofse – 082 779 7109

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