The arrest was made by the SAPS Flying Squad, with the help of the EMPD and the CPF, on Ampthill Avenue, at around 3pm, on Friday.
The Crystal Park CPF chairman for sector one, Amiel Maritz, was patrolling in the CBD on Friday when he saw the suspects’ vehicle parked in the CBD.
Maritz called for back-up and the men were arrested as soon as they entered the car in the parking bay.
The three men, who are aged between 23 and 30, had cellphones, a knife and starter packs in their possession.
They have been operating in Benoni, in a blue Nissan Qashqai, for months, reportedly robbing schoolchildren after approaching them and asking for directions.
Several schools in Benoni alerted pupils to the men’s modus operandi and warned pupils to be careful when on the streets.
According to the Crystal Park SAPS media liaison officer Tryna Maritz, the three men allegedly robbed two pupils from the Gekombineerde Skool Noorderlig on the same day they were arrested.
Benoni SAPS media liaison officer Lieut Nomsa Sekele said several commuters were also robbed at knife point on Tom Jones Street, on Friday, last week.
She said two of the three men approached the people and stole their cellphones.
The men are now implicated in two cases in Benoni and two in Crystal Park.
The men appeared in court on Monday and are being detained at Modderbee Prison.
They are expected in court soon for their bail application.
Both Maritz and Sekele urged people who feel they might have fallen victim to the men in this car to come forward and open cases with the police by contacting WO Riana Labuschagne on 011 969 4880 or 011 968 9065.
