PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Following a dramatic vehicle chase and through the co-operation between various groups of crime fighters and the use of technology, two alleged armed robbers were arrested and stolen goods recovered after a late night robbery in Kranshoek, Plettenberg Bay on Monday 23 January.

Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA) operations head Otto Olivier said their operations team had been alerted to a robbery in the Kranshoek area at about 22:30. It is believed that about 10 armed men were involved and fled the scene in a white Mercedes-Benz and a silver Volkswagen Kombi.

Southern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Chris Spies said the robbery took place at a home in the area. "The suspects threatened the victims - a husband and wife - and proceeded to take two cellphones, a wallet and an undisclosed amount of cash," he said.

Police from Plettenberg Bay and Kwanokuthula stations, police highway patrol officers, Bitou municipal law enforcement, various private security companies and neighbourhood watch groups responded.

"Responders were deployed at strategic points. One of the suspects' vehicles, the Kombi. was spotted by a member of Plett Rapid Response. The suspects drove recklessly at high speed through the industrial area in an attempt to evade pursuers and avoid being arrested," Olivier said.

The Kombi was confiscated on the night of the robbery and a suspect was arrested in Qolweni.

The chase led them to Qolweni where the suspects left the vehicle and started running into the informal settlement. "This was genuinely concerning as the suspects were armed and dangerous and there was fear that innocent people could get in harm's way," Olivier said.

Crime fighters managed to arrest one suspect, who was in possession of a firearm. The vehicle with the stolen goods was recovered and police managed to secure the scene and evidence. 

"A perimeter was set up by security and law enforcement partners to secure the area. A meticulous search for the suspects followed whereby the drone was deployed. Unfortunately, load-shedding at 00:00 hampered the search."

Olivier said that they also lost sight of the Mercedes-Benz, but that Navic cameras picked up the vehicle the next morning. It was moving towards Knysna, where it was stopped by members of provincial traffic and police. A suspect was arrested and the vehicle seized.

The investigating officer, Sergeant Mphumezi Mlenze, urged the public to come forward with any information that could lead to further arrests. Anyone with information can contact the police on 044 533 2145 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111,

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