Community members and law enforcement collaborate to apprehend armed robbery suspects in Hermanus. Picture: Hermanus Neighbourhood Watch/Facebook
Two gun-wielding suspects were apprehended following a relentless pursuit by neighbourhood watch members, private security companies and law enforcement agencies, aided by drone technology, after they allegedly robbed cyclists.
The suspects were expected to appear in the Hermanus Magistrates’ Court this week.
Police spokesperson, Joseph Swartbooi, said police were investigating a case of robbery with a firearm after the duo allegedly robbed a father and son on their bicycles on Saturday afternoon.
“Reports suggested that the complainant and his son were riding on bicycles near Hemel en Aarde.
Two unidentified armed males approached them and robbed them of valuables. No shots were fired and no one sustained any injuries. The suspects fled the scene. We can confirm that two suspects were arrested after being successfully traced.
“Hermanus police are investigating a case of robbery with a firearm. The suspects are expected to make their court appearance in the Hermanus Magistrates’ court on the mentioned charges,” said Swartbooi.
Hermanus Neighbourhood Watch (HNW) spokesperson, Hylton Leaf-Wright, said their collaborative efforts ensured the successful tracing of the suspects.
“We were alerted that cyclists had been robbed ... on Hemel and Aarde Valley Road and the suspects had run up towards Rotary Way. We immediately alerted our responders and tried to get through the traffic from Voelklip side. We joined Law Enforcement, Alfa Afriforum (neighbourhood watch) and our HNW responders by the water works. The drone was searching the area and we did a quick foot search around the water works.
“An Alfa neighbourhood watch responder reported movement on the top of rotary way and identified two suspects. We responded to the top and the bottom of the mountain and on seeing us they started evasive moves. We had already alerted the senior law enforcement and they were in place on the R43.
“Two of HNW responders managed to grab the one suspect and the other somehow managed to get over the R43 and he was also caught.
We then climbed the mountain again and with the help of the drone found the stolen phones,” said Leaf-Wright.
Leaf-Wright commended the collaborative efforts of all involved.
“If SAPS can link the suspects to other incidents in the Fernkloof nature reserve it will be a huge relief for us. We have a response team that reacts to incidents and if alerted timeously have a good chance of catching them. It is solely the cooperation between police, law enforcement, private security and neighbourhood watches that make this possible.”
Cape Times
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