GEORGE NEWS - Police are investigating the possibility that three suspects from Thembalethu who were recently arrested in connection with a business robbery at a liquor store in Knysna, could be linked to other crimes with a similar modus operandi in George and elsewhere in the Southern Cape.
At this stage it cannot be confirmed whether the suspects form part of a syndicate.
Sinenjongo Mgqibandaba (34), Sandile Mahluthuluza (34) and Sinovuyo Mgqibandaba (35) appeared in the Knysna Magistrate's Court on Thursday 13 January following their arrests last week.
"At this stage we cannot confirm whether, or which incidents specifically, the suspects could be linked to, but all possibilities are being investigated," said Southern Cape police spokesperson Captain Malcolm Pojie.
According to Pojie, the business was accosted by three suspects at about 16:50 on Monday 10 January.
Two of the suspects carried firearms. They forcefully demanded the manager of the business to open the safe and took an undisclosed amount of cash.
The suspects also emptied the cash registers after ordering other employees to lie face-down on the floor.
"CCTV footage in the immediate vicinity was scrutinised by the investigation officer which indicated that the suspects fled the scene in a silver-grey VW Jetta en route to George. Subsequently a lookout was transmitted on air and an integrated team was established to trace the perpetrators," said Pojie.
The next day police followed up on information received and tracked down the Jetta in York Street, George. Members of the rural flying squad and the Hawks responded rapidly and pulled over the vehicle with two occupants.
During a search, they found and confis-cated a bank bag containing coins that were positively linked to the robbery in Knysna, as well as the VW Jetta.
This led to the arrest of the duo, both 34 years old, from Thembalethu.
The following day, Wednesday 12 January, a house in Zone 8 was searched and clothing, including footwear, similar to that worn by the assailants during Monday's robbery was found. Further search of the house resulted in the confiscation of a substantial amount of cash, bank bags, six cellphones and a replica firearm.
A third suspect, in his mid-30s, was arrested when he was found hiding in a bedroom cupboard.
The trio were charged with business robbery as well as the possession of suspected stolen property. The case was postponed for a formal bail application on 20 January. The suspects remain in custody.
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