Sosh residents assist Rietgat SAPS capture two armed robbery suspects
While the suspects were hiding in a nearby house, Rietgat SAPS were called and alerted to the location of the suspects and the volatile situation.
The Rietgat police arrested two men suspected of an armed robbery in Block BB Soshanguve this past weekend.
The suspects, aged 25 and 29, held a man in his early 20s at gunpoint demanding his valuables.
The robbers took the victim’s cellphone however, during their escape, the young man began shouting to fellow community members for help and a chase soon ensued.
Also read: Two at large, while 23-year-old due in docks for armed robbery at Sosh surgery
The suspects fleed to a nearby home in hopes of eluding the now enraged mob. While hiding, police were called and alerted to the location of the suspects and the volatile situation.
The suspects were soon arrested by the police in the nearby house and taken into custody, rescuing them from the angry residents. During the arrest, the police seized an illegal firearm and recovered the stolen phone.
Acting Rietgat station xommander, Colonel Dinah Tabane in a statement commended the quick response of officers called to the scene as well as the residents that assisted in the capture.
“I would like to thank our members for a swift response, otherwise we could be talking something else.
“If they came a minute later the situation could have turned bad and we would be opening a murder case, hence we discourage and condemn vigilantism. I would also like to commend community members who saw it fitting not to take the law into their hands but to call the police.”
Both suspects are due in the Soshanguve magistrate’s court to face charges of armed robbery and possession of an illegal firearm.
Captain Tabane also called on community members to assist the police to rid the streets of illegal firearms.
“We can only remove illegal firearms through collaboration with the community. If you notice a suspicious person carrying a firearm, inform us so that we can arrest them and make sure that we live in a safer environment without any fear.”
Anyone who witnesses anything suspicious in the neighbourhood should contact the Rietgat police on 071 675 6250 or Crime Stop 08600 10111 or My SAPS App.
Also read: Cops nab suspects in CBD salon robbery
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