An e-hailing vehicle trip from Bramley to Observatory turns into a nightmare
Norwood Police arrested one e-hailing driver for robbery and kidnapping after the vehicle he used was spotted in Melrose Arch by security company officers.
An e-hailing driver was arrested by the Norwood police for armed robbery and kidnapping. Spokesperson Warrant Officer Eric Masotsha said on June 3, at about 02:00, an e-hailing vehicle request was made by two brothers from Bramley to Observatory.
“The vehicle arrived and ferried the brothers; then along Houghton Drive, the e-hailing driver decided to cancel the trip, suddenly stopped and withdrew a gun. He instructed both brothers to give him all their belongings – cellphones, cash and their wallets,” said Masotsha.
He added that apparently during the incident, another sedan vehicle with four occupants suddenly stopped to assist the driver to rob the victims. That was when one of the two victims jumped out of the car and managed to run away fearing for his life, narrated Masotsha. The spokesperson said on the same day one of the two brothers went to report the crime and gave the details of the vehicle used during their robbery and kidnapping.
Warrant Officer Masotsha said a lookout was given to all police vehicles and information was given to all security companies around the Norwood precinct. “On June 5, during the day, a vehicle fitting the brother’s description was spotted in Melrose Arch by one of our local security companies and backup was requested from the Norwood SAPS,” he said.
The police found that the vehicle matched the one reported. Masotsha said, “After cross-examination, the e-hailing driver confessed to having committed the crime. He was very cooperative as he even took the police to his place to take out some of the robbed items and they were recovered.”
He said the complainant was called to point out the suspect in an ID parade and it turned out it was indeed the wanted suspect. The police then arrested the suspect for armed robbery and kidnapping. The vehicle he used to commit the crime, which was his, was confiscated by the police.
Masotsha said the office of the Norwood SAPS station commander Colonel Logan Govender applauded both police and the private security company for tracking and tracing the wanted vehicle.
Details: Report crime to 086 001 0111 or Norwood Police Station 011 483 4609/14.
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