AN armed robber was arrested in a Bonaero Park wetland on Friday after a huge man-hunt following a robbery at a nearby shopping centre.
Two other suspects managed to escape.
According to Chief Supt Wilfred Kgasago, metro police spokesman, three gun-toting men robbed an MTN shop in Bonaero Park Shopping Centre at around 11.30am. The metro police, police and CMS Security members joined forces to trace the men.
“The three suspects were driving in a Ford Bantam LDV which they were forced to abandon at the scene of the robbery. Two managed to get away but one suspect was apprehended at around 1.30pm by the metro police’s equestrian members,” Kgasago said.
“One firearm was also recovered among the tall reeds where the suspect was hiding.”
Witnesses informed law enforcers that they saw one of the suspects running across the road towards the wetland. The equestrian unit members decided to search the swampy area around the dam for hours as the police helicopter could not hover above the area too long as it was too close to the airport, Kgasago said.
“Their patience and efforts were rewarded when they found the suspect hiding in a marshy place within the tall reeds. A 9mm pistol was located nearby.”
The 35-year-old man was charged with armed robbery at Kempton Park Police Station. He briefly appeared in Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
