GQEBERHA – Two suspects linked to Tuesday’s jewellery store robbery at Fischer’s Jewellers in Walmer Park Shopping Centre were arrested yesterday, 19 November at the Vaal Plaza Tollgate, Free State.
According to SAPS spokesperson, Warrant Officer Majola Nkohli, the arrest was a collaboration between members from the Eastern Cape and Free State provinces’ law enforcement.
Nkohli said that on Tuesday, 18 November around 11:10, a group of armed suspects allegedly targeted a jewellery store at a shopping mall in Gqeberha, where they stole several jewellery items.
“A swift response by the Nelson Mandela District Crime Combating Unit and the subsequent shootout between the police and the suspects led to the arrest of one suspect (30), and the recovery of one firearm. Moments later, police also recovered a getaway vehicle; a white Audi abandoned in Zwide.”
Nkohli added that a team comprising detectives including members from crime intelligence immediately started working on the case, and followed up on some leads. “Later in the afternoon, police were alerted that at least three vehicles were involved in the robbery, and one of them was in transit heading in the direction of Bloemfontein.”
Free State law enforcement was alerted when the suspicious vehicle was flagged. “Members of the Fezile Dabi Trio Task Team, the District Organised Crime Combating Unit (DOCC), Highway Patrol in partnership with security companies operationalised the information, and the suspicious vehicle was intercepted at the Vaal Plaza tollgate.”
He added that one of the two occupants took out a firearm, which triggered a shootout, after realising that they had been caught. “Both suspects, aged 27 and 35, were injured, and are currently in hospital under police guard. Police recovered three unlicensed firearms, two 9mm pistols and an AK-47 rifle with ammunition. Among the items that were recovered from the vehicle were several jewellery items.
“Preliminary investigation was conducted, which revealed that the jewellery items were stolen during the robbery at the store in Gqeberha,” Nkohli said.
The suspects face three counts:
- Count 1 – Business robbery,
- Count 2 – Attempted murder and,
- Count 3 – Possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
The two suspects injured in the shootout in the Free State will face additional charges of business robbery and attempted murder in Gqeberha when they are fit to travel.
Nkohli added that the suspect who was arrested in Gqeberha on Tuesday will appear in court today, 20 November on charges of business robbery, attempted murder and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the Eastern Cape, Major General Thandiswa Kupiso extended her gratitude and applauded the excellent work of the teams. “Through collaborative efforts and intelligence-gathering, our colleagues from the Free State were able to effect the arrest, and dismantle this criminal network. We would like to reassure the people of the Eastern Cape, and tourists that we will remain steadfast in our resolve to fight serious and violent crimes in this province.
“We also urge anyone with information related to criminal activities to come forward and assist us in our pursuit for justice. We will be working closely with other provinces to curb serious and violent crimes”, Kupiso concluded.
