North community patrollers were applauded by the Gauteng department of community safety for their role played in the arrest of seven robbers earlier this week.
On Tuesday, seven suspects were apprehended by the Moby Sinoville Community Patrollers Forum (CPF) for allegedly committing a business robbery at a store in a nearby shopping mall.
The robbers took an undisclosed number of cellphones.
The CPF patrollers received the information through on the local community radio that the store was under attack and responded swiftly, police said.
ALSO READ: NEWSFLASH: Seven armed north store robbers chased, arrested
“At the same time, patrollers mobilised their other members and requested backup from the law enforcement authorities, who also responded swiftly led by the police Sector Commander.
“The suspects abandoned their vehicle and tried to escape in another vehicle while the patrollers were approaching them. They abandoned the car and tried to escape on foot.”
The suspects fired shots at the patrollers while they were being chased. Police retaliated and wounded two robbers.
Sinoville police spokesperson Warrant Officer Johan van Dyk said earlier that the stolen cellphones were recovered, two vehicles impounded for further investigation and several firearms were recovered.
The seven suspects are in custody and are expected to appear at the Pretoria North Magistrate’s court on Thursday to face charges relating to business robbery and illegal possession of firearms.
The head of the Gauteng department of community safety, Yoliswa Makhasi, has welcomed and commended the role the CPF played in this case.
“The Sinoville CPF has once demonstrated the critical role of this structure in the crime-fighting initiatives within the province.
“This achievement also demonstrates that our call for active citizenry in the fight against crime is bearing fruits.”
ALSO READ: North residents launch CPF to fight crime
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