Footage helps nab highway robbers

The gang of men who robbed a Chinese businessman and his family at the end of May on the M2 highway off-ramp, pictured above, were arrested and are expected to appear in court soon.

The gang of men who robbed a Chinese businessman and his family at the end of May on the M2 highway off-ramp, pictured above, were arrested and are expected to appear in court soon.

Published Jul 23, 2015

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Johannesburg - The four men captured on video robbing a Chinese businessman and his family in May on the M2 highway off-ramp in Crown Mines have been arrested.

They were arrested with three other suspects on Wednesday in Ga-Rankuwa, Midrand and Alexandra after a lengthy intelligence operation, said provincial police spokeswoman Lieutenant-Colonel Katlego Mogale.

“One unlicensed firearm was also recovered, and a Porsche watch, and we will investigate if it belongs to any victims,” she said.

Police were investigating whether the men were linked to other similar incidents in and around the province.

The suspects have other cases pending in Roodepoort, Hillbrow and other areas in Joburg.

Police are asking motorists who have been involved in similar robberies to come forward with details.

“We believe more people were attacked in this manner by the suspects. In that week alone, we had two incidents on the M2.

“We plead to those victims to come forward and report the matter,” said Mogale.

On May 31, the man, his wife and sister were travelling on the M2 highway when they were stopped by a white Jetta that had overtaken them.

Four men jumped out of the vehicle and approached the victim’s car, demanding cellphones and money. Three of the suspects had firearms while the fourth was armed with a sledgehammer.

Three iPhones and R3 000 in cash were stolen in the robbery.

In the footage, motorists driving in the left lane continue to drive past the incident.

One of the suspects, wearing a purple T-shirt, approaches the victims from the left, pointing a gun at the front-seat passenger. Only one of the four suspects has his face covered with a balaclava.

The incident was recorded by the victim’s dashboard-mounted camera.

Later that evening, the footage, which had been uploaded on YouTube and Facebook, went viral.

Shortly after the incident, police found the suspects’ car had false number plates that belonged to a different model.

The men were arrested after police linked them to the Facebook pictures. A court date has not yet been set.

In the meantime, police attended a crime scene on Thursday morning in Roshnee, in the Vaal, where a robber was killed during a house robbery.

“The owner of the house and his family were asleep when he heard noises downstairs. He awoke to find that four suspects had broken into the house,” said Mogale.

“He immediately called the neighbourhood watch. When they arrived, a shoot-out ensued between the suspects, the owner and the neighbourhood watch guards. During the shoot-out, one suspect was shot and killed,” said Mogale, who was at the scene when she spoke to The Star.

“Three other suspects, one of whom was injured, fled the scene.

“A manhunt has been launched,” she said.

An unlicensed revolver, a 9mm magazine, a laptop and a bag with some of the house-breaking implements were recovered by the police.

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