The men, who are between the ages of 25 and 26, saw the victim on his cellphone on the N1 at 10.30am on 9 January. The suspects then ambushed the victim and a struggle for the cellphone ensued. The three suspects won the fight and fled as soon as they had stolen the cellphone.
In a statement to Midrand Police, the victim said that soon after the suspects had fled, he saw a patrolling Metro police car and flagged it down. He notified the officers of the incident and they called the Midrand Police Station for assistance.
Constable Matome Tlamela, head of communications of the station, said police officers were sent to the surrounding area. “Within 20 minutes after the incident, the police found them [the suspects] and detained them,” said Tlamela. “The cellphone was also recovered.”
The three suspects are currently in police custody and will appear in Alexandra Magistrates’ Court on charges of common robbery on 15 January.
Read New Road smash-and-grab incidents a cause for concern
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