Jewellery thieves caught in PE

Gallery Update

GEORGE NEWS - Three suspects linked to the armed business robbery at Sterns in the George central business district (CBD) last Friday, 20 April, were arrested by the PE Flying Squad later the same day.

At approximately 09:45 two armed men entered Sterns in Hibernia Street. They threatened three staff members and a customer with firearms and forced them to lie on the floor at the back of the shop while they ransacked the establishment.

They escaped in a white Mercedes Benz with an undisclosed amount of jewellery and cell phones. Shortly after the incident, their getaway vehicle was seen on the N2 heading towards Port Elizabeth.

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According to a police spokesperson in Port Elizabeth, Colonel Priscilla Naidu, the information was immediately relayed on all police channels and members of PE Flying Squad patrolled the N2 in search of the suspect vehicle.

"At about 13:00, the vehicle was seen driving at high speed past the Van Stadens Bridge. A chase ensued and the vehicle was recklessly speeding through the traffic.

"As it neared the Cape Road / N2 off-ramp, the vehicle was forced to slow down due to heavy traffic. Police managed to force it onto the side of the freeway and three suspects were arrested," she said.

Gold chains, rings and platinum jewellery, cellphones and a 9mm firearm with 15 rounds of ammunition were found inside the vehicle. The vehicle and firearm belong to the driver of the vehicle. The value of the jewellery and cellphones is not yet known.

The suspects, aged 31, 34 and 47, appeared in the PE Magistrate's Court on charges of possession of suspected stolen property. The case was transferred to George where they will remain in custody. By the time of going to press details of their next court appearance were not yet available.