Suspected robbers come up short

04 September 2023

The City’s enforcement services made 321 arrests in the last week – among them were several robbery suspects who were collared by the Metro Police Department.

In the past week, enforcement staff arrested 321 suspects on a range of charges, and issued 48 865 fines for various transgressions.

The Metro Police Department made 65 arrests and issued 1 697 fines. Among those arrested were numerous suspects on charges of robbery and possession of stolen goods.

On Sunday, 3 September, officers recovered an E-Bike in Elsiesriver, that was stolen while the owner made a delivery in Parow.
On Saturday, 2 September, officers on patrol along Jakes Gerwel Drive conducted a stop and search on two males, who were found in possession of two Huawei cellphones. They were unable to unlock the phones when requested, and while officers were inspecting the devices, a message popped up on the one phone, indicating that it had been stolen. The suspects, aged 23 and 29 were detained at Bishop Lavis SAPS.
On Wednesday 30 August, officers recovered a stolen vehicle in the Mitchell's Plain area. While parked at the intersection of Jakes Gerwel Drive and the R300, a Toyota Avanza passed them at high speed on the shoulder of the roadway, and disobeyed a red traffic light. Officers set off after the vehicle, and managed to get the driver to stop. Upon inspection, they discovered that the VIN number does not correspond with the vehicle, and that the vehicle was stolen in Nyanga in June. A 29-year-old man was arrested and detained at Lentegeur SAPS.
On Tuesday 29 August 2023, officers followed up on information of a vehicle driving along Swartklip Road, that had been involved in a business robbery in mid-August. They spotted the vehicle, and managed to stop the driver in Montclair. Three suspects, aged between 25 and 39, were arrested and detained at Woodstock SAPS.
On Monday 28 August 2023, officers responded to a complaint where a motorist was robbed by two suspects on the R300 between the N2 and AZ Berman Drive. Officers caught one of the suspects, who was positively identified by the motorist. The 29-year-old was detained at Philippi East.
In another incident, a motorist stranded on the N2 in the early hours of Saturday, 2 September, was robbed of his phone and cash by a group of suspects. Metro Police officers came to his aid and remained on site until he was able to make his way home.

'The successes are the result of responsive and visible policing, and but a few examples of the very good work that happens in the enforcement environment every day. Attacks on motorists on some of our major routes like the N2 and R300 remain a concern, and while our officers conduct as many patrols as resources allow on these routes, we do want to remind motorists to please make sure that they are vigilant when they're on the road, to plan their route accordingly and to check that their cars are mechanically sound, and have enough petrol to get to their destination. In July alone, Metro Police officers assisted 409 motorists on the N2 and R300,' said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

The City's Law Enforcement Department made 213 arrests and issued 2 553 notices for various transgressions.

The Traffic Service recorded 44 615 transgressions, impounded 222 vehicles and executed 2 212 warrants of arrest.

Officers also arrested 43 suspects – 37 for driving under the influence of alcohol and six for reckless and negligent driving.

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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office