Suspect in Centurion jewellery shop murder, robbery linked to R1-m east gems heist

One of the two men, who were arrested and charged with murder following an armed robbery of a jewellery shop in Centurion mall, has been linked to a R1-million jewellery heist at the Francois jewellers at Grove Mall.

The jewellery shop owner was shot and killed on Monday and by the evening of that day, the police had arrested two men in Hillbrow, Johannesburg linked to the crime, according to police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Sello.

“The suspects, aged 23 and 24 years, are expected to appear before court soon on charges of business robbery and murder. Police are still on the lookout for four more suspects,” she said.

ALSO READ : Owner of jewellery shop shot dead at Centurion mall, two arrested

Seven suspects were linked to the Francois jewellers robbery.

Five masked suspects held the staff at gunpoint and took all kinds of jewellery such as diamonds, rings, watches and necklaces.

Silverton police station spokesperson Warrant Officer Isaac Mculu said they were still investigating the case.

He said it was not yet clear whether the armed robberies were by the same group.

“At this point, we cannot say that it is a syndicate crime or not.”

ALSO READ: Staff held at gunpoint in R1-m east jewellery store heist

Pretoria has been plagued by a spate of jewellery store robberies.

On August 22, staff at Déonne le Roux jewellery were held hostage during an attempted armed robbery at the Woodlands Boulevard shopping complex.

In that incident, a suspect was killed and another arrested following a high-speed car chase by police.

The jewellery that was stolen from the store was recovered in the complex’s parking lot.

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