Cape Town police said a fourth suspect involved in an alleged business robbery in Kensington in which a metro police officer lost his life, is still on the run.
Metro constable Tyler Lamb died after he fell through a roof while trying to arrest one of the suspects on on Friday 7 November.
Capt FC van Wyk, provincial police spokesperson, said: “Four suspects were involved; however, three suspects were arrested, one is still at large. Investigations continue.”
JP Smith, Mayco member for safety and security, said Lamb, who was part of the newly deployed Neighbourhood Safety Officers, were conducting a Vehicle Check Point along Voortrekker Road, when officers noticed the driver of a Toyota Yaris behaving suspiciously.
Smith explained that when the motorist refused to stop and sped away as the officers gave chase.
“The vehicle was later brought to a halt, and officers witnessed a group of male suspects fleeing on foot into a nearby building. Officers called for back-up and one suspect handed himself over. On entering the building, they were informed that a suspect had climbed onto the roof.”
According to Smith the constable attempted to arrest the suspect but during the scuffle he fell through the roof and lost consciousness.
Despite the best efforts by emergency services the officer died.
Three of the perpetrators appeared in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Monday 10 November.
The suspect accused of killing the 30-year-old officer abandoned his bail application.
The state has since charged one suspect for murder and the remaining suspects face charges related to the robbery in addition to the illegal possession of ammunition.
The case has been remanded to Monday 17 November.
A neighbourhood safety officer who spoke on condition of anonymity said: “I knew officer Lamb for about 10 months; he was a very bright person.”
Yusuf Mohamed, Ward 57 councillor, attended court on Monday.
“This man was not just an officer he was also a father; husband and he was a hero for the City of Cape Town. He paid the ultimate sacrifice to keep our residents safe.”
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