In a dramatic chase and tactical manoeuvre, Joza police arrested three men with two fire-arms and several rounds of ammunition in Grahamstown on Tuesday 25 August.
In a dramatic chase and tactical manoeuvre, Joza police arrested three men with two fire-arms and several rounds of ammunition in Grahamstown on Tuesday 25 August.
Police are investigating whether they are linked to a recent spate of robberies in Grahamstown.
Police spokesperson Captain Mali Govender said a cellphone and cash were also found in possession of the men after a stand-off in Qhude Street in Extension 9.
She said the drama started when a man came to the Joza Police Station and reported that he had been robbed at his home, opposite the police station.
The man said he was in his bedroom, talking on the phone, when he heard a noise at the main door of the house.
"Just as he opened the bedroom door, three men pushed him back into the room. One of them had a firearm. "They tied him up with electric cables and left with his two cellphones and a wallet containing his cards and cash. They left him and went about ransacking the other rooms in the house," said Govender.
After a while when he heard that everything was quiet in the house, he untied himself and ran out to seek help. With the assistance of a community member, he rushed to the police station which is a few metres from his house.
Govender said Constables Sebastian Du Plessis and Lungi Mvulana immediately took the man with them to look for the robbers. She said they soon came across them and the man quickly identified them.
The moment they saw the police vehicle, they started to run.
"The officers gave chase and arrested one. The other two continued to run."
A member of the community used his own car to chase the suspects. "The two police officers called for back-up, as one of the men had a firearm in his possession," Govender said.
"The suspects went into a house in Extension 9. "At this stage, members of the crime-prevention unit arrived and they surrounded the house. "Through tactical skills, the team entered the house and arrested the other two suspects," said Govender.
A revolver, as well as a bag containing a locked safe and a cellphone were seized, according to Govender. A pistol with several rounds of ammunition was also discovered after police opened the safe.
She said the men were charged with house robbery, two counts of possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition. Another docket for possession of drugs was opened for investigation after police searched and found a small quantity of dagga on them.
Govender said the Grahamstown Cluster Commander, Brigadier Morgan Govender, praised the members for the swift action which led to the arrest of the "brazen criminals".
“ I commend these members for their dedication and the teamwork that they displayed," Brigadier Govender said.
"Their actions certainly deserve praise. "We have had several cases of house robberies reported in Grahamstown over the last few weeks. A special team has been put together to deal specifically with these serious crimes.
"The team will also look into these suspects who have been arrested and establish if they are linked to any of the incidents that were reported," said Brigadier Govender.
Residents in Extension 9 said the men had jumped walls and fences, making their escape, and had gone to a house in Qhude Street.
"Inside that house was an old man with his disabled child. They came in and just sat and didn't say anything," said the resident, who asked to remain anonymous.
"The best thing is that they did not harm to the two vulnerable people in that house."
