Video: 7 arrested after armed robbery and kidnapping in Newcastle
Police have arrested several suspects, including the owner of the shop where a businessman was held hostage and robbed at gunpoint.
A 30-year-old businessman was robbed at gunpoint and held hostage at a business premises in Terminus Street, Taxi City, Newcastle, last night.
Newcastle Advertiser reports that Imraan Ghafoor of the Newcastle Crime Fighter’s Task Team (CCPA) says the man had been lured to the premises by the suspects, who ambushed and held him hostage inside a shop, demanding a large sum of money.
“He had recently sold his business in Riverside Industrial, and the suspects were aware that he was in possession of a substantial amount of cash,” explains Ghafoor.
The victim was forced to hand over a large sum of money, allegedly by the suspects who reportedly continued to assault him and fired blank shots in an attempt to extort more money.
Ghafoor was alerted and immediately activated the CCPA, SAPS Stabilised Unit, Ithemba Security’s Tracing Unit and Barnard’s Security.
Law enforcement officials swooped on the premises and apprehended seven suspects, including the shop owner, who is allegedly the mastermind behind the plot to lure the businessman to his shop.
The victim was treated by Trivs Medical Services for moderate head injuries before being transported to hospital for further care.
Police also recovered two firearms used during the crime.
All suspects were detained and are expected to face charges of armed robbery, kidnapping, extortion and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Watch the video:
Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel.
Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.
Read original story on www.citizen.co.za
