Quick response by police resulted in the arrest of 8 suspects who were involved in the robbery of a liquor store in Linton Grange on Friday, 20 March 2020.
It is alleged that at about 15:45, the complainant was monitoring the suspect as he was shopping in the store. As he approached the teller, the suspect passed other customers in front of him and attempted to walk out without paying. The complainant then grabbed the basket in an attempt to stop him. Another suspect entered and pointed a firearm at him. The complainant then let go of the basket which fell. The suspect grabbed two of the bottles of alcohol and ran out. They got into a Mazda 5 vehicle and drove off.
The registration number was immediately circulated and SAPS Gelvandale Crime Prevention members spotted the vehicle in Haworthia Street in Malabar. The vehicle had stalled due to a mechanical problem. A total of 8 suspects were arrested. The stolen bottles of alcohol were recovered as well as a 7.65 pistol.
Seven suspects were detained on charges of possession of suspected stolen property and business robbery while an additional charge of illegal possession of firearm was added to the 8th suspect.
The suspects aged 25-39 years old will appear in the Port Elizabeth magistrates’ court on Monday, 23 March 2020. Source: South African Police Service