Acting on a tip-off, EMPD and SAPS officers readied themselves, last Friday night, August 22, for three robbers, who were travelling in a vehicle with false number plates, to act, before pouncing.
“Just after the bad guys had completed their dirty mission, the police confronted the trio and recovered both the cash and liquor stolen from the tavern; they also confiscated the getaway vehicle and one firearm,” said Wilfred Kgasago, spokesman for the EMPD.
He told the GCN that, before midnight on Friday, the three suspects were already seated in JJ’s Tavern, in Dukathole, masquerading as patrons.
“They were probably waiting for the tavern to close its doors at 2am on the Saturday morning, as well as ensuring that the premises was free of other patrons,” Kgasago said.
“As the robbery was in progress, EMPD Crime Prevention Unit members and SAPS detectives from Germiston restrained themselves, as they feared endangering innocent patrons’ lives.
“They rounded up the suspects as they were about to get into their getaway vehicle.”
Numerous bottles of liquor, R4 500 in cash, an unlicensed firearm and the getaway vehicle were confiscated.
The robbers were charged with business robbery, attempted murder, possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, as well as possession of a stolen vehicle.
