PARKTOWN – On Monday, 19 December 2022, Gauteng Organised Crime Investigation Team with back-up from Highway Patrol and K9 Unit, arrested three suspects for armed robbery. This follows a case registered by a couple who was robbed after they had responded to an online advertisement for CDs.
It is reported that the couple responded to an advert on social media where CDs were sold. An arrangement was made for the couple to meet the person selling the CDs in Winterveld. Upon arrival at the place, the couple met a man who took them to another location where they were then robbed of an undisclosed amount of cash, cellphones and bank cards.
The case was transferred from SAPS Loate to the Provincial Organised Crime Investigations. The team then conducted a sting operation that led to the arrests.
The suspects are expected to appear before Ga-Rankuwa Magistrates Court facing a charge of armed robbery.
This arrest is the second in as many months. In November 2022, the police arrested two suspects who had robbed an unsuspecting buyer. The buyer had responded to an online advertisement of a vehicle.
The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Gauteng, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela has commended the members that have swiftly arrested the perpetrators. “The more arrests we make the harder we hit this grouping that commits these robberies. Online buyers must be cautious when communicating with people that place advertisements on social media, verify their credentials and insist on meeting the sellers in areas where they would not try to rob you,” said Lt Gen Mawela.
The police continue to warn the public about these online scams that are prevalent in Gauteng, specifically in Winterveldt and Hammanskraal areas.
We are urging to anyone who might have fallen victim to these scammers to come forward and report to the police.
We are also appealing to anyone with information that can assist the police in the investigation to please call Colonel Freddie Mogotsi at 082 416 0659 or Sergeant Mary Makola at 082 930 1024.
Source: South African Police Service