Gqeberha: Swift collaboration between SAPS Despatch members, Kariega K9 unit, a private security company and the community led to the speedy arrest of three alleged robbery suspects on 1 July 2021 in Despatch.
It is alleged that at about 12:00, a 53-year-old Despatch woman was walking in Bretner Street pushing two children in a pram when she noticed an unknown male walking towards her. At the same time a white Ford vehicle with two occupants (at the time) slowly passed her. As she turned her gaze towards the passing vehicle, the approaching male stood directly in front of her. He grabbed her necklace (estimated value R5000) from her neck and jumped into the white Ford vehicle. A witness to the incident got into his vehicle and chased after the fleeing suspects.
When the suspects’ vehicle stalled at the corners of Botha and Dromedaris Streets, four suspects alighted and started running. The community, K9 members and the private security pursued after the suspects who scaled several boundary walls trying to evade arrest. Three suspects aged 24, 27 and 29 were apprehended by the K9 members. The fourth suspect managed to get away.
On inspecting the vehicle, property suspected to be stolen in a housebreaking committed in the area earlier, was found in the car. The vehicle was impounded and the suspects were detained on a charge of robbery. Detectives will investigate a possible link to the housebreaking.
The suspects are expected to appear in the Uitenhage magistrates’ court soon.
Source: South African Police Service