Police arrest four suspects after alleged robbery from a disabled man along Victoria Road in Pietermaritzburg

It is alleged that on Tuesday, 11th February 2014 at about 12:55, a 32-year-old disabled man and his neighbour, after withdrawing fifty-thousand-rand (R50 000.00) from a bank at nearby mall, stopped outside a shop along Victoria Road in Pietermaritzburg in the victim’s Isuzu bakkie to purchase goods. While the neighbour was inside the shop, the victim, who was seated on the passenger side of the vehicle, noticed an unknown man placing his hand inside the driver side window of the vehicle and opening the arm rest to remove the money bag containing the cash.

It is further alleged that the victim screamed and pressed the hooter to draw attention and a scuffle between the victim and the suspect ensued. A short while later the victim was confronted by another man after whom he surrendered and the suspects then took the money bag and fled.

The neighbour, who immediately rushed out of the shop to investigate the noise, noticed the suspects getting into a white Hyundai I30 motor vehicle and fleeing. He immediately contacted the Police who then circulated the vehicle. Shortly after the incident took place, members of the Pietermaritzburg Organised Crime Unit, who were parked off on the N3 Freeway near Lion Park, spotted the vehicle fitting the description given by the neighbour and immediately gave chase along the N3 Freeway onto the Umlaas Road offramp and along the R103 towards Umbumbulu. Police then cornered the vehicle and immediately arrested the four male occupants. The money bag containing the cash was also found in their possession.

Police believe that the getaway vehicle may possibly be stolen as it only had one Swaziland registration number plate at the front of the vehicle and the engine number or chassis number could not be found on the vehicle. The arrested suspects, aged between 23 and 30-years of age, may also possibly be linked to other robberies around KwaZulu-Natal. They are expected to make a court appearance in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court today, Thursday 13th February 2014 on a charge of robbery.

Investigations continue.