A 45-year-old suspect was arrested shortly after a business robbery was reported in one of the chain stores in Carolina on Tuesday, 17 September 2024.
According to information, four suspects held the store employees at gunpoint whilst helping themselves with cash, cellphones, and other items from the shop. The fifth suspect was reportedly waiting inside a gateway vehicle.
After they completed their criminal activities, they all stormed into the vehicle, a grey VW Polo, then fled the scene.
The White River Flying Squad, White River K9 Unit, a Tracking company, as well as private security companies engaged in pursuing the suspects.
The vehicle was then spotted in Nelspruit whereby the suspects attempted to evade arrest but Police as well as other law enforcement agencies were hot on their heels. It was during this time when the vehicle drove to Mataffin in Mbombela, and hit the brick wall then came to a halt.
It is further reported that the suspects tried to fire shots towards the law enforcers, but their efforts were fruitless.
One suspect got injured during the process whilst other four suspects fled the scene in order to evade the arrest.
The injured suspect was charged accordingly though he is currently under police guard in hospital.
Further investigation revealed that the vehicle used by the robbers was reportedly robbed during a house robbery incident at Modimolle in Limpopo Province earlier this month (September 2024).
Police are currently doing their best to locate the other suspects.
The arrested suspect is expected to appear at the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court soon, on charges of attemped murder, possession of suspected stolen properties, including the vehicle as well as the items robbed during a business robbery in Carolina.
He is also expected to appear at the Carolina Magistrate’s Court on allegations of business robbery.
Police cannot rule out possibilities of additional charges laid against the suspect as the investigation continues, including the house robbery in Modimolle, pending the investigation.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi is pleased with the swift response by law enforcement agencies as well as the joint operation by different law enforcement agencies which produced positive results, ” said the General.
Armed robber arrested after law enforcers were hot on his heels https://t.co/jtSrFjntPp#ArriveAlive #ArmedRobbery @SAPoliceService pic.twitter.com/ONnkcLuyYE
– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) September 19, 2024
