One of the three suspects who allegedly robbed a couple and their neighbour in Mbeki Crescent, New Brighton, on Friday, May 10, was found hiding in a wardrobe.
Two of the three suspects arrested following the robbery had previous run-ins with the law, says police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu.
Naidu, in a statement on Monday, said that the suspects who robbed the couple and their neighbour at about 10:00 on Friday had previously faced murder, attempted murder and hijacking charges.
Naidu said that the suspects were travelling in a white Toyota Quantum at the time of robbery.
After they parked the minibus taxi, two suspects entered the couple’s yard while two others went to the neighbour’s house.
According to Naidu, the couple was threatened with firearms, and the suspects demanded to know where they kept money. The suspects also robbed the couple of their cell phones.
The suspects also robbed the neighbours of their cell phones.
Shortly after police were called, the other suspects in the minibus taxi fled the scene.
Naidu says that a 29-year-old was arrested.
Public Order Policing members also arrested a 28-year-old man who was found in the possession of a firearm.
According to Naidu’s statement, the 28-year-old charges of attempted murder and vehicle hijacking from October 2023 hang over his head.
“While investigators were busy at the scene, information was received that a third suspect was hiding in a wardrobe in a house,” says Naidu.
She says that the stolen cell phones were found in his possession.
According to Naidu, this suspect had previously been arrested following the murder of eight people and the attempted murders of three more in Maqanda Street in January 2023. However, Naidu said he was released in January 2024 when the charges against him were withdrawn.
The suspects were expected to appear in the magistrate court in New Brighton on Monday, on charges of robbery and illegal possession of firearm and ammunition.
