A 24-year-old has been arrested for kidnapping and armed robbery and has been remanded in custody at Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court.
The suspect and his accomplice have been linked to a number of armed robberies in the Norkem Park policing area, where they allegedly kidnapped their victims and took them to an ATM, demanding their pin number.
According to Norkem Park SAPS spokesman, Capt Lesibana Molokomme, the arrest was made on Saturday, November 5, at 3:45am in the Birch Acres area, after the brother of a victim spotted the car that was used when his younger brother was robbed and kidnapped.
“On October 25, at around 10:30am, it is alleged the victim was walking along Umbilo Street, Birch Acres, when he was approached by a silver grey Mercedes Benz with an unknown registration number. There were allegedly two suspects in the vehicle,” explained Molokomme.
“The suspects’ car stopped next to the complainant and the two asked for directions to Birch Acres Mall. Suddenly the driver cocked a firearm and instructed the victim to get into their car. The other suspect was armed with a knife.
“In the car the suspects took the victim’s wallet with an undisclosed amount of money, bank cards and cellphone. They drove with the victim to Birch Acres Mall where they demanded his bank card pin number. They tried to withdraw money but there was no money in the account. The victim was dropped off next to the same mall,’ Molokomme further explained.
During the arrest the suspect was driving the same car, which had been impounded by the police. The car is not stolen but belongs to one of the suspect’s family members. Police are looking for the second suspect involved in the kidnapping.
Anyone with information about the second suspect is requested to come forward.
Police also urge anyone who has been a victim of a similar crime to come forward.
Victims are requested to contact investigating officer D/Const Tammy Mazibuko on 072 270 3214 for an identification parade due to several cases the in Norkem Park policing area linked to the arrested suspect.
