A group of men suspected to be behind a series of retail robberies over the past week were arrested yesterday evening, July 3, following a private security and police investigation.

The men first drew the attention of the Marshall Security Special Operations Team and police following a robbery at a Ballito bottle store on June 27.

Through CCTV investigation, the four men and the car allegedly used to escape were identified.

The same men allegedly robbed another bottle store in Pinetown yesterday afternoon at about 3pm, after which security teams began patrolling the areas surrounding Durban shopping centres.

“At about 6.48pm, while patrolling along Armstrong Avenue, members spotted the identified vehicle travelling from the direction of a shopping centre in Umhlanga towards La Lucia,” said a Marshall Security spokesperson.

“Members immediately followed the vehicle. Upon realising they were being followed, the suspects stopped and attempted to flee on foot. Following a brief foot pursuit, three suspects were successfully apprehended.”

They were found with R18 000 worth of clothing which they could not account for and were handed over to Durban North Saps.

Further investigation led teams to a flat in the Point Road area of Durban, where the fourth suspect was arrested and the stolen alcohol from the Pinetown robbery recovered.

The men have since been linked to other robberies in Ballito and as far afield as Gauteng.

Durban North Saps is investigating.