GQEBERHA – The swift response and coordinated efforts of SAPS members led to the arrest of six suspects shortly after a house robbery in KwaZakhele and the recovery of stolen property, ammunition and dangerous weapons.

According to SAPS spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg, it is alleged that on Wednesday, 15 July, at approximately 23:10, a homeowner was at his residence in Tlalore Street, KwaZakhele, with his family when four armed suspects, comprising three men and one woman, arrived in a white Toyota Tazz.

“The complainant was about to close the front gate after a friend had left when the suspects confronted them and ordered them back into the house,” she said. “The suspects demanded iPhones, which the victims did not have.”

Janse van Rensburg added that while two of the suspects searched the bedrooms for valuables, the other male suspect and the female suspect removed a plasma television from the wall.

“The suspects also robbed the victims of three cellphones before attempting to flee,” she said. “They abandoned the television after it could not fit into the getaway vehicle.”

She further stated that the robbery was immediately reported to SAPS KwaZakhele, and a lookout was circulated for the suspects’ vehicle.

“Members responded swiftly and soon spotted the white Toyota Tazz. The vehicle was stopped and searched.

“During the search, police recovered the three cellphones stolen during the robbery, along with an additional four cellphones believed to be linked to other cases.”

Janse van Rensburg added that two replica firearms, one replica rifle, eight rounds of .38 Special ammunition and a dangerous weapon were also seized.

“Various items suspected to have been stolen during other house robberies in the Joe Slovo and Motherwell policing areas were recovered,” she said. “The white Toyota Tazz used in the commission of the crime was also confiscated.”

She confirmed that six male suspects, aged between 16 and 33, were arrested and are facing charges of house robbery, possession of ammunition, possession of suspected stolen property and possession of a dangerous weapon.

“Further charges may be added as investigations continue and additional cases are linked to the recovered property,” she said. “No shots were fired during the arrest, and no injuries or damage to property were reported.”

The suspects are expected to appear in the New Brighton Magistrate’s Court soon.

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