NINE SUSPECTS NABBED FOR ROBBERY, ANOTHER ALLEGEDLY SHOT HIMSELF

NINE SUSPECTS NABBED FOR ROBBERY, ANOTHER ALLEGEDLY SHOT HIMSELF

By BRIAN KAJENGO

Nelspruit - Nine (09) men, aged between 25 and 42, will appear before the Eerstehoek Magistrate’s Court tomorrow, 03 April 2014, following a business robbery that took place in one of the supermarkets in Elukwatini yesterday, 01 April 2014.

Their appearance follows a quick action by an off-duty dedicated member who summoned his colleagues to respond to a business robbery incident that was in progress which resulted in the arrest of the nine and left one dead.

The villains together with other accomplices allegedly went to the supermarket, blocked access as well as exit points, held the staff and customers at gunpoint. They then took money from the cash registers, robbed the staff and customers of valuables, and then fled the scene in two vehicles.

The member who was off duty witnessed the robbery, followed the suspects’ getaway vehicles with his private vehicle and summoned back-up.  The police in Elukwatini and Badplaas joined efforts and responded to the call. They worked tirelessly tracking down the suspects and cornered them at Nhlazatshe, where five of them were apprehended and disarmed

In the midst of the chase, the sixth suspect ran into a certain house and hid in the toilet, police cornered him. When he realised that he had no way to escape, he then allegedly fatally shot himself however the other suspects managed to escape.

Police recovered some of the money and items suspected robbed from the supermarket. In the process four illegal firearms recovered and further seized the vehicles that used.

A manhunt launched immediately that led to the arrest of four more suspects in their hideout around Nhlazantshe.

A manhunt for the remaining suspects is in progress and we urge anyone with information that may lead to their arrest to contact Captain Sthandwa Nkosi at 082 541 5589 or 017 883 0050.

The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thulani Ntobela elated by the manner in which the police members dealt with the situation. His praises do not leave the off duty member who swiftly and cautiously followed the suspects immediately after the commission of the crime. Lt General Ntobela said that the audacity displayed by the member is explicit and has a spirit of courage