Ermelo Jewellers robbery investigation progresses
Ermelo detectives recover stolen getaway car and arrest two suspects in Merino Mall jewellery robbery. Investigation continues.
ERMELO – The investigation into the armed robbery at Ermelo Jewellers in Merino Mall on November 5 has progressed, with the recovery of the getaway vehicle and the identification of two suspects.
After an initial breakthrough in locating the getaway vehicle – a white Honda sedan reported stolen in Mondeor (a suburb of Johannesburg) – Ermelo SAPS detectives, working with Spartan
Security Services and the Provincial Organised Crime Unit, found the abandoned car in Davel Street. The owner has since been traced.
Click on the photo to read the article:
On November 25, two suspects allegedly linked to the Ermelo robbery were arrested in Randburg. They were transferred to Ermelo, where they were positively identified.
ALSO READ: Armed robbers target Ermelo Jewellers in Merino Mall
They made their first appearance in the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court on November 28. According to Carla Prinsloo of Ermelo SAPS, police are awaiting the court docket and cannot comment on the outcome yet.
Police have not confirmed any link between the Ermelo robbery and recent jewellery store robberies in the Eastern Cape or Free State.
For context, other jewellery store robbery incidents reported around the same period include:
Eastern Cape – Gqeberha (November 11)
A robbery at Walmer Park Shopping Centre led to a high-speed police chase and an exchange of gunfire. One suspect was arrested on the scene, while others fled.
Free State – Parys/Vaal Plaza (November 16 and 18)
Two jewellery store robberies took place in Bloemfontein on November 16, at Northridge Mall and Mimosa Mall.
On November 18, after a brief shootout with police at the Vaal Plaza Tollgate, two suspects linked to both robberies were wounded and arrested.
They were taken to a Sasolburg hospital under police guard.
Police recovered two 9mm handguns, an AK-47, ammunition, jewellery and other suspected stolen items.
“Ermelo SAPS continues to investigate to ensure all individuals involved in the November 5 heist are identified, arrested and brought before court. Three suspects are still at large,” Prinsloo said.
