Mount Road Cluster Commander Maj Gen Thembisile Patekile expressed his gratitude towards the community and a private security company in speedily apprehending three robbery suspects, recovering the stolen property as well as the confiscation of two firearms.
It is alleged that on Thursday, 18 April 2019 at approximately 12:30, a builders and hardware store in Heugh Road Walmer was robbed by three men. It is alleged that the cashier was alone in the office when three unknown suspects entered and pointed her with a firearms and one suspect was armed with a knife. They demanded money and her cell phone. The suspect took cash and the cashier’s cell phone and fled from the scene. As the suspects were fleeing, people from a neighbouring business saw them and pursued after them. An Atlas security vehicle was in the vicinity and together with the community, the 3 suspects were arrested at the corners of Albert Street and 5th Avenue, Walmer. They were then handed over to police on their arrival. Two firearms with ammunition and a bag containing the cash and the cellphone was also confiscated. The serial numbers of the firearms are filed off and they will be sent for ballistic analysis.
The suspects, aged between 20 and 35 years old will appear in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate court on Monday on charges of Business Robbery, Possession of prohibited firearms, illegal possession of ammunition and possession of suspected stolen goods.
Maj Gen Patekile applauded the excellent teamwork between the community, the security company and the police. “Private security companies are an integral stakeholder of the SAPS as we all work towards a common goal in ensuring that our communities are and feel safe. It is good that businesses are alert to what is happening around them and are able to assist their neighbours in times of need however one must be careful that while exercising such an action, one’s own safety is not compromised,” added Maj Gen Patekile.
