Tavern robbers behind bars
Five men, including two Zimbabwe nationals, are behind bars after they allegedly robbed a Chinese businessman.
Badplaas- Five men, including two Zimbabwe nationals, are behind bars after they allegedly robbed a Chinese businessman.
The men, whose names the police declined to reveal, are expected to appear in the Badplaas Periodical Court on Thursday, June 12 after they were denied bail during their first appearance last Wednesday in the Carolina Magistrate’s Court.
They were arrested on Sunday May 31 at about 01:00 after having allegedly robbed Four Rand Tavern in Badplaas.
However, police were quick to pounce on them. Among the items they stole at gunpoint, was R13 000 in cash, two cellphones, three laptops and liquor stock estimated to value R4 000.
According to Const Cynthia Dlamini, Badplaas police spokesman, soon after the robbery was reported, an intelligence-driven sting operation was executed by police in Badplaas and Middelburg crime intelligence unit.
“The sting operation led the police to an informal settlement in Avalon Section in Mhluzi, near Middelburg where they arrested the thugs at their various hideouts. During their arrest police found them to be in possession of two loaded firearms, two laptops and cash,” she said, adding that the thugs had already drank some of the liquor and one laptop was missing and the reported amount of R13 000 now differed.
“Further investigation revealed that one of the firearms was stolen from its lawful owner at Uitkomst Farm in Waterval Boven during a house robbery. The firearms will be sent for ballistic testing to determine whether they have been used to commit other crimes or not. The suspects have been charged with business robbery, possession of stolen property and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition,” added Dlamini.
They are currently being detained at the Badplaas Police Station holding cells pending their court appearance.
Provincial commissioner, Lt Gen Thulani Ntobela, has praised the team members for their sterling work. “I commend their efforts displayed in working tirelessly by following all possible leads that led to the apprehension of the suspects. The seized firearms would have endangered the lives of community members and been involved in other crimes in the province.”
