Cape Town - Community members who thought it was their lucky day when a cigarette delivery vehicle was robbed and looted were in for a rude awakening when police arrested suspects in possession of some of the goods.
Police spokesperson Ndakhe Gwala said: “Joint efforts between Philippi SAPS and law enforcement impeded robbers in Hanover Park and led to the arrest of three suspects.
“On Wednesday, at around 11am, members of Philippi SAPS heard gunshots in their vicinity and responded immediately. As they approached the crime scene, they discovered that a cigarette delivery vehicle was being robbed, and spotted one suspect who fled the scene empty-handed, running in the direction of a Toyota Quantum with police members in pursuit. The driver of the Toyota Quantum and two other males drove off as the suspect was apprehended.
“The 40-year-old male was arrested, and will make his court appearance in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court once he has been charged.”
During the incident, boxes of various tobacco brands with an estimated value of R500 000 were looted by members of the community, police said.
While on patrol, officers arrested two males aged 17 and 18 who had cigarettes with an estimated value of R8 000.
Both suspects will appear in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court.
Investigations into the matter continue and more arrests have not been ruled out.
In an unrelated incident, the Western Cape Flying Squad and Provincial Operational Command Centre acted on information and arrested four suspects who were allegedly involved in a house robbery in Franschhoek on Wednesday morning.
The suspects, between the ages of 20 and 30, were apprehended that same day - two in Franschhoek at the scene and the other two in Maitland.
One firearm was recovered in a suspect’a vehicle.
The suspects will make their court appearance in the Franschhoek Magistrate’s Court for the possession of an unlicensed firearm and house robbery once they have been charged.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact the investigating official Detective Warrant Officer Johannes Louw of the Provincial Organized Crime Unit at 0721954594, alternatively, Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
Cape Times