JEFFREYS BAY – A multi-million-rand jewellery heist in Jeffreys Bay was brought to a swift end on 2 August when police arrested four suspects and recovered stolen jewellery valued at about R3 million, just hours after an armed robbery at a local jewellery store.

According to police spokesperson Captain Marius McCarthy, on 2 August at approximately 10:15, employees and witnesses were inside the business assisting customers when two armed suspects entered.

“The perpetrators drew firearms, threatened the occupants and ordered everyone to lie on the floor. Shortly thereafter, additional suspects entered the premises and smashed the glass display cabinets, looting a large quantity of jewellery with an estimated value of R3 million,” said McCarthy.

He said no shots were fired and no injuries were reported.

McCarthy said that, following the immediate activation of first responders and the review of closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage, descriptions of the suspects’ vehicle were swiftly circulated via local security networks and the NAVIC tracking system.

He said members of the Gqeberha Flying Squad acted on the intelligence and spotted a vehicle matching the description travelling at high speed from Jeffreys Bay towards Gqeberha.

McCarthy said they intercepted the vehicle on the N2.

He said a tactical search of the vehicle resulted in the arrest of four suspects between the ages of 24 and 36.

“Police confiscated a large quantity of jewellery still bearing tags belonging to the jewellery store, one round of AK-47 ammunition, and clothing matching the exact description of that worn by the suspects during the robbery,” said McCarthy.

He said the suspects have been detained and are due to appear in court soon on charges of possession of suspected stolen property and unlawful possession of ammunition.

The Sarah Baartman District Commissioner, Major General Thandiswa Kupiso, highly commended the operational synergy and rapid response that led to the swift breakthrough.

“This outstanding success underscores the undeniable power of collaborative policing and the strategic deployment of our specialised units. The seamless integration of technology, real-time intelligence sharing with our security partners, and the tactical precision of the Flying Squad ensured that these dangerous criminals were neutralised before they could evade justice,” said Kupiso.

“We have sent a clear warning to criminal syndicates that our highways and communities are heavily policed. The recovery of this multi-million-rand property and the removal of illegal ammunition from our streets is a significant victory in our ongoing war against aggravated robberies.”

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