FERNDALE – A 28-year-old man was recently convicted to 15 years’ imprisonment by the Randburg Magistrate’s Court.
On 27 November 2016, at about 6.20pm, the man arrived at one of the businesses situated along Pretoria Street in Ferndale, with other suspects, where he allegedly used to work as a security guard.
Captain Makgowanyana Maja said the man found one of his co-workers and pretended to fetch his uniform. “He was given access into the property and he went and took his uniform and his accomplice, who was the driver, asked to be allowed to make a U-turn in the premises, to which the officer opened and he drove inside the premises.”
The suspect then went to the vehicle and while there, called the security guard to come to him. “The security was pointed at with a firearm, they took his phone, tied him up and locked him in the storeroom,” said Maja.
He added that they then went on to search the premises, however, the security guard managed to trigger the panic button and the response vehicle was dispatched together with the police. “The suspects were still inside the premises, helping themselves.”
On their way out, they were confronted by response officers and the police. The suspect was cornered and when questioned he failed to give the reasons for his presence at the company. “Preliminary investigations were done which led to the security guard being found tied up in the storeroom,” said Maja, adding the guard was then untied and gave his statement.
The suspect was immediately arrested on the spot for business robbery. He was convicted to count one, 15 years’ imprisonment and count two, sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment which will be wholly suspended for five years on the condition that he does not commit any other related offences.
Maja said the management of Randburg Police Station welcomes the sentencing and hopes this conviction will act as a deterrence to other would-be criminals.
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