Two minors are in the dock after they robbed a woman of her cellphone at a shop in Merebank near Durban.

According to Wentworth Police communications officer Captain Mbuso Gumede, the woman was on a phone call and walking towards her husband when the boys approached her.

“She was carrying her child at the time. One of the boys pulled out a knife and held it in his hand, demanding her cellphone. He threatened to stab her. The other boy grabbed the cellphone out of her hand and both boys made a run for it towards Juggernaut Road.”

Gumede explained the woman screamed for assistance. “Three men rushed to help the woman. Two of them chased the suspects. One of them was arrested and found in possession of the woman’s cellphone, while the second suspect was arrested by two security officers from Alpha Alarms. He was found in possession of a knife.”

Gumede said the woman positively identified both suspects. “Her cellphone was recovered. A case of robbery was opened at the station and the suspects were detained,” Gumede added.

Wentworth Police station commander Colonel Sinayo Mtshali commended the brave residents as well as the two security officers for their quick assistance and the arrest of the suspects.

“We encourage the community to assist the police in fighting crime and to report any suspicious activities taking place in our community. We also urge residents to join community policing forum structures, which work with police in the fight against crime,” said Mtshali.