Businessman held for false robbery claim

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Published May 20, 2016

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Durban - Hawk-eyed police officers investigating a business robbery found stolen items hidden under a fridge moments after a Bluff businessman claimed he had been held up at gunpoint.

Now the 39-year-old Bluff businessman is facing a charge of defeating the ends of justice.

He is expected to appear in the Durban Magistrate’s Court next Wednesday.

He cannot be named until he appears.

Police spokeswoman, Captain Louise le Roux, said the businessman claimed three robbers, one of them armed with a firearm, forced him to open his cash register and gambling machines at his business on Lighthouse Road.

He apparently claimed the robbers took an estimated R50 000 from the machines and R40 000 that he had in his pocket.

He alleged R30 000 worth of his jewellery was also taken during the ordeal.

Brighton Beach policewomen Thobeka Shabalala and Judith Shabalala arrived at the crime scene and began interviewing people in the vicinity.

“The officers established that nobody saw anyone entering or exiting the business premises, except for the owner himself,” said Le Roux.

“Police Captain Sarel Kruger and Detective Warrant Officer Marius van der Looy began searching the premises. They found a bank bag containing cash and coins, a PVR recorder and jewellery hidden underneath a fridge. These items had been reported stolen by the businessman,” Le Roux said.

She said the businessman admitted to police he had opened a false complaint of business robbery.

“Brighton Beach SAPS are proud of our members’ skills, interviewing techniques and crime scene management, which led to the uncovering of the false crime being reported.

“Those with criminal intentions should not underestimate our police officials,” Le Roux said.

Daily News

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