Parkview police arrested two men on 29 July just before 7pm following an armed robbery at Zoo Lake where two victims had their cellphones stolen.
According to communications officer for Parkview police, Sergeant Lloyd Ramovha, it is alleged that the victims were chatting next to the basketball courts at Zoo Lake when the two suspects approached them and pointed a firearm at them.
“They then threatened to shoot the victims if they didn’t co-operate. The suspects then took two iPhones from the victims before they fled,” explained Ramovha.
Jessica Clarke and Matthew Margach said they were about to get into their car when two men in their late 20s approached them, cocked a gun and demanded their cellphones. “They then looked at Matt and told him to get in his car and to look away. At this point, I felt like anything could happen. I froze and heard Matt saying ‘Get in the car’,” said Clarke.
“We went to Matt’s house and called my sister, Megan, who managed to log into my iCloud account and track my phone through the My iPhone app.”
The victims drove to Parkview Police Station. After they reported their ordeal to Sergeant Phineas Phalandwa and Constable Vincent Mohlakoana, they immediately jumped into their vehicle along with the victims who were still tracking their stolen phones through the My iPhone app.
This led the police to the suspects who were walking along Empire Road towards Hillbrow. “They were then arrested and the cellphones recovered. The weapon was also recovered nearby and a preliminary investigation revealed that it was, in fact, a toy gun,” said Ramovha.
“We are so lucky to have escaped unharmed and hopefully have helped solve a crime and keep a few more residents safer in the neighbourhood,” said Clarke.
The suspects will appear at Hillbrow Magistrates’ Court soon on charges of armed robbery as well as possession of stolen property.
Details: Sergeant Lloyd Ramovha 011 486 5000.
