DURBAN: Two friends aged 27 and 31 are set to appear in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court today for robbery. It is alleged that on 15 May 2020 at 23:00, a 41-year-old tuck-shop owner and his brother were at their business premises in Cottonlands, Verulam when they heard a knock on the window and went out to investigate. The suspects pretended to be police officers.
The victims did as instructed and were confronted by three armed males who instructed them to lie down as the assaulted them and demanded cash. They ransacked the tuck-shop, stole an undisclosed amount of cash, airtime machine with R1000 airtime value and two cellphones before fleeing the scene. The matter was reported to police and a case of robbery was opened at the Verulam police station for investigation.
On Friday, 05 June 2020, Verulam detectives together with Crime Intelligence conducted an intelligence driven operation in the Verulam area to trace and arrest the suspects involved in this case. The operation led to the arrest of a 27-year-old suspect who is an e-hailing driver. During the investigation the suspect confirmed having transported four known males to Cottonlands on the night of the incident and two of them were wearing police jackets.
He co-operated with the police officers and took them to the CBD and Canelands where he pointed out two suspects who were placed under arrest. The vehicle used in the commission of the crime was seized. The arrested suspects will be profiled to check if they are linked to other robbery cases committed in the area.

Source: South African Police Service