Four suspects linked to various cases of street robberies and fraud were brought to book by members of the Benoni CPF, private security companies and the SAPS on March 3.

According to Benoni SAPS spokesperson Captain Nomsa Sekele, the suspects, two men and two women, allegedly lured an elderly woman into the parking area of Lakeside Mall shortly after she made a withdrawal from an ATM located inside the centre, at 11:30.

“The suspects allegedly forced the victim into a silver Chevrolet sedan,” she said.

“The victim claims the assailants assaulted her, demanding cash, her bank cards, cellphone and pin numbers, before dropping her off at an unknown location. A passing motorist brought her to the Benoni Police Station to report the matter.”

Just after 14:30, on the same day, the suspects’ vehicle was detected by Licence Plate Recognition cameras and authorities were immediately notified of its location.

Units were dispatched while a volunteer member of the CPF located the vehicle in Morehill and commenced to discreetly follow the suspects.

The vehicle was tactically brought to a stop at Ninth Avenue, Northmead.

A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of a falsified police badge and ID card, counterfeit money, 20 bank cards and five cellphones, including that of the victim.

The suspects were detained at the Benoni Police Station pending further investigation.

Sekele thanked the stakeholders, including Blackhawk, LGEP, NoJack Vehicle Tracking, GVS Tactical, Trio Risk Management, Pro-Tech, the SAPS Drone Unit, Benoni SAPS, SNIPR and Absa Investigations for their co-ordinated response in bringing the suspects to book.

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