A police officer stationed at Umlazi police station was arrested for being the alleged getaway driver during an armed robbery in Durban on Wednesday afternoon. The police officer and another suspect were arrested after a car chased ensued in the busy streets of Durban CBD.
According to Lieutenant-Colonel Nqobile Gwala, the police spokesperson, five suspects stormed a business on Field Street in Durban CBD on Wednesday afternoon and stole clothing items worth R100 000 at gun point.
Gwala said the Durban Central police were immediately informed about the incident and they began chasing after the suspects after being given directions on where they went. “The suspect’s vehicle was intercepted in Fenton Lane where it was established that the driver of the vehicle was a police officer stationed at Umlazi Saps.”
“The driver was placed under arrest, along with the accomplice. Further investigation led the team to Umlazi, where clothing items with price tags were recovered. A replica pistol and a 9mm were also recovered,” said Gwala.
The police officers moved on to Gleblands Hostel, where they were able to recover a pistol with three rounds of ammunition.
“The preliminary investigation conducted at the scene revealed that the firearm was stolen, and the case was opened in Bhekithemba. The suspect’s vehicle and four cellphones were seized for further investigation.”
Police are on the hunt for the three other suspects. The two suspects who were arrested will appear at the Durban Magistrates Court on Friday facing charges of business robbery.
Source: News24, The Citizen, image from The Citizen: iStock
