WESTERN CAPE – Joint efforts between Philippi SAPS and Law enforcement impeded robbers in Hanover Park and led to the arrest of three suspects.
On Wednesday 25 May 2022 at around 11:00, 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 towards 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.
Furthermore, during this incident, boxes of various tobacco brands with an estimated value of R500 000.00 were looted by members of the community. Police members patrolled the area and arrested two males aged 17 and 18 who possessed cigarettes with an estimated value of R8 000-00 for possession of suspected stolen property. Both suspects will appear in the Athlone Magistrate’s court. Investigations into this matter continue and more arrests are not ruled out.
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.
In an unrelated incident, the Western Cape Flying Squad and Provincial Operational Command Centre members acted on information and arrested four suspects who were involved in a house robbery in Franschhoek yesterday morning 25 May 202). The suspects who are between the ages of 20 and 30 were apprehended yesterday, two in Franschhoek at the scene and the other two in Maitland. One firearm was recovered in the suspects’ 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.
Source: South African Police Service