Romance robber and accomplice in cuffs
The victim was robbed at knifepoint after being lured by the promise of love.
Eagle-eyed police conducting patrols in Dalpark Ext 6 on Sunday rescued a woman from the clutches of two suspected criminals.
Constable Audrey Buthelezi, Brakpan SAPS Sector 1 manager and communications officer, told the Brakpan Herald crime prevention officers spotted a grey VW polo Vivo parked far into the veld just off Heidelberg Road.
“The crime prevention members tactically approached the vehicle and found two men and a woman. When asked what they were doing parked there, one man attempted to deceive the police members when the woman begged the officers not to leave her with the two men,” she said.
Constable Mzwakhe Khoza then interviewed the woman alone, and she explained that she is an employee at a shop at Mall@Carnival and one of the men professed love to her and she became interested.
“The man then suggested that the woman accompany him and his friend during her lunch break,” continued Buthelezi.
“They drove her to the open veld. The man who was sitting with her at the back of the vehicle pointed an Okapi knife at her, instructed her to take out her cellphone and send cash using her banking app.
“During that time, the man also ordered her to empty her handbag, and they took R500 in cash.”
Khoza and Sergeant Bheki Sibande immediately arrested the two men on charges of kidnapping, armed robbery with a weapon other than a firearm, being in possession of suspected stolen goods and fraud.
The two, aged 25 and 34, were detained at the Brakpan Police Station. The Vivo in which they were travelling was found to have false number plates and it was also confiscated, along with the knife.
iPhone devices found in the suspects’ possession, which they could not open despite claiming ownership, were also seized.
Brakpan SAPS Vispol commander Colonel Robert Makopo applauded the crime prevention members’ vigilance and professional conduct.
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