KNYSNA NEWS - Three men have been brought to book after they were linked to an armed robbery at a local liquor outlet last Monday 10 January. The robbers made away with an undisclosed amount of cash.
The three suspects are from Thembalethu in George.
According to Southern Cape police spokesperson Captain Malcolm Pojie, the business was robbed at about 16:50.
Two of the perpetrators had firearms. "They forcefully demanded from the manager of the business to open the safe and took an undisclosed amount of cash," Pojie said.
"The suspects meanwhile ordered other employees to lie face-down on the floor and also emptied the cash registers."
With the help of privately owned and operated CCTV cameras, some of which are overseen by the Knysna Safety and Security Initiative and Allsound Security, police were able to identify that the suspects fled the scene in a 'silver-grey' VW Jetta en route to George.
"Subsequently a lookout was transmitted on air and an integrated team was established to trace the perpetrators," Pojie said.
A day later, police followed up on information received and tracked down the vehicle in York Street, George.
"Members attached to the Rural Flying Squad and the DPCI (Hawks) responded rapidly and pulled over the vehicle with two occupants," Pojie indicated. Officers conducted a search of the vehicle, finding and confiscating a bank bag containing coins that were positively linked to the robbery in Knysna. "This led to the arrest of the duo, both 34 years of age."
The investigating officer, a member of Knysna's detectives branch, obtained a search warrant for a premises in Thembalethu Zone 8 and a search was carried out on Wednesday 12 January.
Similar clothing, including footwear worn by the assailants during Monday's business robbery, were found.
"Further search of the house resulted in the confiscation of a substantial amount of cash, bank bags, six cellphones, and a replica firearm," Pojie said.
"During the search of the house members managed to arrest a third suspect, also in his mid-30s, that was hiding inside the bedroom cupboard.
"The investigating officer was assisted by members of Public Order Police (Pops), Knysna Crime Prevention Unit, and members of the DPCI [Hawks] in George."
The trio were ultimately charged with business robbery as well as the possession of suspected stolen property and made their first appearance in the Knysna Magistrate's Court on Thursday 13 January.
Sinenjongo Mgqibandaba (34), Sandile Mahluthuluza (34) and Sinovuyo Mgqibandaba (35) were remanded in custody and the matter was postponed to 20 January for a formal bail application.
"The investigation team is also investigating whether the suspects could be linked to other similar crimes perpetrated in the Southern Cape," Pojie said.
CCTV cameras played a crucial role in the arrest of the suspects.
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