Four suspects arrested for west business robbery
"Business owners need to be particularly aware of this and be especially vigilant."
Four suspects were arrested for breaking into a shop earlier this week in Church Street, west of Pretoria. Police spokesperson Constable Sibongile Vuma, said, “The suspects were arrested for attempted business burglary. They were in the possession of engine parts.”
District Manager for Fidelity ADT Leon Muller said at approximately 02:30, Fidelity ADT Reaction Officer Tsietsi Muleya responded to an alarm activation.
“The officer approached the business premises and found the pedestrian gate forced open. As the officer went further into the premises, he saw the back door and safety gate padlock had been cut off. He then called for backup,” said Muller.
According to Muller, officers Muleya and Castro Khoza proceeded to search the premises when they found the suspects hiding at the back of the building. Muller said they have seen an increase in business robberies since the lockdown regulations were relaxed, particularly at smaller retail businesses, like fast food establishments, who tend to carry cash.
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“Business owners need to be particularly aware of this and be especially vigilant,” he warned.
“Wherever possible cash should be kept to a minimum.”
“With four retail business robberies in the last three days, businesses are advised to remain on high alert,” he said.
“One of the challenges we are facing now is also the mandatory wearing of a face mask in public. Criminals are using this to avoid detection and it has made identifying perpetrators just that much more difficult,” he concluded.
Vuma said residents should never take the law into their own hands.
“People can get hurt as criminals may be heavily armed,” Vuma explained.
Vuma gave the following tips when a person reports a crime:
– When you see there is an illegal event taking place, like suspects stealing a motor vehicle, call or SMS a tip-off to me on my personal number on 082-822-8316.
– Clearly give the registration number of the vehicle which you saw being stolen and or the suspects travelled with.
– When there is a house break-in, take pictures. Zoom in if it is from a distance. This will be evidence to show the suspects involved at the scene of the crime.
– When witnessing a house break-in, immediately call 10111 and state clearly there is a ‘burglary in progress’.
This is to alert the police that this is an active matter that should be attended to as soon as possible.
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– All crimes should be reported to 10111.
“Please do not take the law into your own hands, leave it to law enforcement,” Vuma urged.
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