Escaped prisoner strikes again in Harding
He had already faced three counts of business robbery.
A 29-year- old man who escaped from police custody is expected to appear in the Harding Magistrate’s Court on charges of robbery, and being in possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition.
This comes after the man robbed a business at KwaMbotho in Harding on Friday last week. It is believed the man demanded cash and instructed staff to load cigarettes and tobacco into a plastic bag.
According to police, one of the staff screamed for help, alerting community members who then came to their assistance and apprehended the man.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesman Brigadier Jay Naicker said police at Harding were immediately contacted.
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“The suspect was found in possession of a homemade revolver with four rounds of ammunition. The stolen property was also recovered from his possession,” he said.
Further investigations revealed that the suspect had been on the run after escaping from custody while being transported to Westville Prison on July 15, 2019.
“He had been charged with three counts of business robbery committed in Harding during 2018,” said Brig Naicker.
He is also believed to have been linked to a further three business robberies committed in Harding.
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Khombinkosi Jula praised the community for working together with the police in apprehending the man
“The community at KwaMbotho must be commended for their firm stance in ridding their neighbourhood of criminal elements and for contacting police immediately to ensure that the suspect is incarcerated and be placed before a court of law,” he said.
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