KNYSNA NEWS - Four men appeared in the Knysna Magistrate's Court this week in connection with an armed robbery in the Knysna CBD that took place last week.

The suspects made two appearances in court this week – on Monday 19 June and again yesterday, Wednesday 21 June. 

The case has been postponed to Wednesday 28 June for a formal bail application. According to Southern Cape police spokesperson Sgt Chris Spies, a fifth suspect was arrested at one stage, but was later released due to a lack of evidence.

They were arrested in connection with an armed robbery at a business in Nelson Street in the Knysna CBD last week Tuesday, 13 June. According to Spies, preliminary investigations revealed that three men entered the premises together. 

"They later approached an employee behind the counter and demanded cash. The trio took an undisclosed amount of cash and fled the scene," Spies said.

"Various police units with assistance from Allsound Security responded and a manhunt was launched. Information took the team to Concordia where the presumed-to-be-getaway-vehicle was found. Two of the suspects were also cornered at a liquor premises at Concordia Road. An undisclosed amount of cash was also recovered during the arrest."

According to Allsound Security Director Declan Nurse, they made use of nearby CCTV cameras to monitor the suspects as they fled the scene. 

"CCTV cameras also assisted in establishing that the vehicle had travelled towards White Location and a comprehensive search ensued resulting in Allsound officers spotting the vehicle outside a tavern," he said, also praising the law enforcement response.

"The response to this incident was phenomenal to say the least. There were multiple SAPS members including Knysna Sector Managers, Crime Prevention Unit, K9 Members, Knysna SAPS Detectives Branch members, Allsound Security and Rapid Response from Plett working together to apprehend and secure the scene."

Nurse added that following on from the arrests that were made, Allsound officers continued to scan nearby CCTV footage for any additional suspects involved in the robbery. "CCTV footage then also identified that the two suspects had been dropped off just prior to the robbery by a second vehicle," he said.

"The registration number of the second vehicle involved was flagged and an alert was put out. Later that same day, we received notification via the LPR [licence plate recognition] camera system that the vehicle had been detected around Swellendam and we requested mobilisation of SAPS members in that region.

"The vehicle then deviated from the N2 and travelled inland. SAPS members around Robertson and Worcester were alerted and shortly thereafter the second vehicle was intercepted by SAPS and a further two suspects were taken into custody."

According to Nurse, a total of six suspects have been identified for their involvement in the robbery. "Within 48 hours, five arrests had been made (one of which has since been released pending further investigation). The sixth suspect is still to be apprehended."

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