KNYSNA NEWS - The joint efforts by police, traffic officials and local security personnel have led to the arrest of two suspects as well as the recovery of an unlicensed firearm following a robbery at a spaza shop in Knysna.
According to Police Spokesperson Sergeant Christopher Spies, three of the four occupants of an Opel Corsa fled when provincial traffic officials stopped the vehicle at White bridge on the N2 at 20:20 on Tuesday 20 April.
The men disappeared into bushes next to the road and the traffic officials immediately altered the police and local security personnel who responded to the scene. The police arrested the 32-year-old driver who did not manage to flee and, searching the Corsa, discovered items linked to a robbery at a spaza shop.
The vehicle was allegedly used as getaway vehicle during the robbery.
At first light on Wednesday, security personnel of Allsound Security responded to information about a suspicious looking man seen in the vicinity where the trio disappeared in the bushes.
When the man saw the response teams he fled, but his freedom was short-lived when they caught up with him. The suspect was later linked to the robbery.
The joint effort by all the role-players continued with an extensive search of the bushes and led to the recovery of an unlicensed firearm, an undisclosed amount of cash, cigarettes and blue overalls.
Investigation into the robbery indicates that four men, at least one armed with a firearm, entered a spaza shop at Concordia on Tuesday at about 19:30. They threatened the victims and forced the patrons to the floor. The suspects took an undisclosed amount of cash, cigarettes and cell phones before they fled the scene.
Both suspects, aged 32 and 30, remain in custody. They will appear in the Knysna Magistrates’ court on Friday 23 April on charges of business robbery.
Their accomplices are yet to be arrested.
Eden Cluster Commander, Major General Oswald Reddy, praised all role-players for their vigilance and commitment in pursuing these suspects. He also commended them for the removal of an unlicensed firearm from the streets.
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