Swift response by Plettenberg Bay police in conjunction with local security personnel resulted in the arrest of four suspects this morning following a robbery and attack of an elderly couple at a house at The Crags near Plettenberg Bay.
It is alleged that five men armed with knives and pangas entered the residence of the couple, a 63-year-old woman and 71-year-old man, last night, 16 March 2021 at about 21:00 and demanded cash. Both victims were tied up and the elderly man was assaulted. The suspects ransacked the residence. The suspects took jewellery, two television sets as well as an undisclosed amount of cash before they fled the scene in the victim’s Isuzu Double Cab bakkie. This vehicle was later found abandoned on the N2 near the Tsitsikamma Tollgates.
Investigation took the team to a garage where a bank card of the victim’s was used to purchase items at about 06:00 this morning. Whilst searching for the suspects, security guards conducting patrols in the vicinity arrested a man who fitted the description of one of the perpetrators. Further investigation took members to two different houses in Qolweni where three more suspects were arrested and some stolen items recovered.
The foursome aged between 25 and 30 are still in custody. They are scheduled to appear in the Plettenberg Bay Magistrates’ court on Friday, 19 March 2021 on charges of house robbery and possession of stolen property.
Meanwhile, in another unrelated incident, three accused aged 19, 23 and 30 appeared in the Knysna Magistrates’ court on Tuesday, 16 March 2021 following their arrest on a charge of business robbery.
Vigilant members attached to the Knysna police swiftly responded to a robbery at a spaza shop at Tyityityi Street, Khayalethu, Knysna on Sunday, 14 March 2021. Upon their arrival they found a man who was apprehended by members of the community. It is alleged that the suspect was part of a group who entered the shop and threatened the shopkeeper with knives.
Two other suspects managed to flee the scene after they took cash, an airtime machine as well as two cell phones. Further investigation took the police to Damsebos where both suspects were arrested.
The trio remains in custody until their next court appearance on 23 March 2021.