Toy gun robbers arrested following spate of robberies in Umbilo

Three robbery victims were left pleasantly surprised when their stolen cellphones were returned to them and the trio of assailants responsible for robbing them, were put behind bars.

The men, between the ages of 19 and 23, were arrested and charged for robbery and possession of suspected stolen property as well as reckless and negligent driving in Umbilo, on Sunday.

The arrest comes after police officers from the Umbilo Task Team received reports of a vehicle without a front registration plate that was being used to commit a number of armed robberies in the Umbilo and Glenwood area.

Provincial police spokeswoman, Col Thembeka Mbele, said, “Officers immediately reacted and began searching for the vehicle. The vehicle was spotted on Moore Road with three occupants and was approached by police. The driver sped off and a chase ensued which resulted in the suspects losing control of the vehicle before they crashed.”

When they searched the suspects, police found two 9mm toy guns and a number of stolen cellphones in their possession.

Col Mbele explained that while the police officers were detaining the suspects at the Umbilo police station, three separate robbery victims arrived at the police station to open cases.

“They were pleasantly surprised when their stolen cellphones were returned to them and they were informed that the suspects who robbed them were already behind bars,” she said.

The men were charged for robbery and possession of suspected stolen property as well as reckless and negligent driving. They appeared in the Durban Magistrates Court on Tuesday.