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Three men are now in police custody following a robbery where employees were held hostage at a Volksrust furniture store on Tuesday, 22 February 2022.
Police spokesperson Colonel Donald Mdhluli explains the incident unfolded when a group of armed suspects stormed into a furniture store on Tuesday morning. This was after one of the suspects pretended to be a customer at first.
“They then held the employees’ hostage. It is further reported that the staff members were tied up with cords as well as locked inside a certain room in the said store,” Colonel Mdhluli said.
While the crime was being committed, a community member became aware of what was going on and immediately alerted the authorities.
Colonel Mdhluli further explained that the suspects stole several items, including microwaves, laptops, and flat screen TV sets.
The criminals then fled the scene in a Mercedes-Benz Vito and a Nissan NP200 bakkie with the stolen items. According to reports, the suspects went in the direction of Ermelo.
“A case of business robbery was opened accordingly, with a launch of manhunt for the suspects,” the police spokesperson explained.
Fortunately, the collaboration between police and security companies, specifically the Anti-Crime Security Unit (ACSU), in this case, was effective, as the suspects were pursued by the ACSU guards and cornered near Ermelo.
“It is said that two of the suspects were reportedly arrested whilst driving with the robbed Mercedes Benz Vito along the N11 Road, between Amersfoort and Ermelo. Some of the suspected stolen items, including microwaves, laptops, as well as flat screen TV sets were found inside the said vehicle. The items, as well as the vehicle, were seized,” Colonel Mdhluli explained.
As the collaborative team was busy searching for the suspects, members from the Detective Branch in Ermelo spotted the Nissan NP200.
“The astute members intercepted the vehicle however, by the time the vehicle came to a halt, some of the suspects had already alighted from the vehicle where they fled and evaded the arrest.”
However, the driver was arrested and charged.
Police are still looking for the missing suspects, and Colonel Mdhluli urged anyone with information to call the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111 or send information via the MySAPS APP.
“All received information will be treated confidentially and callers may opt to remain anonymous.”
The suspects in custody are expected to appear in court soon, facing charges of possessing suspected stolen property. Colonel Mdhluli points out that police cannot rule out the possibility of not only linking the three suspects to the said business robbery but other crimes committed elsewhere. Bearing this in mind, he says, “Police are proceeding with their investigations.”
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