Lentswe, Jouberton - Eight people were arrested for their involvement in a crime syndicate that attempted to scam a man into buying a vehicle from them but all they wanted was his money. Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone, police spokesperson, reported that Crime Intelligence interviewed the victims of the crime following the attempted armed robbery that occurred in Jouberton last month.
Apparently the suspects used various social media platforms to advertise the sale of a Toyota Avanza.
“After responding to the advert, the unsuspecting potential buyer and those who accompanied him, were taken to a house in Jouberton for a transaction. It was during the transaction that a group of unidentified people and some pretending to be police officers entered and tried to rob them. However, a child ran out of the house and screamed for help. Thus, the suspects left without committing the robbery.”
The criminals moved their target onto another unsuspecting buyer on Saturday March 23.
“The suspects, while under surveillance, tried to scam and rob the potential buyer who responded to the advertisement of the same Toyota Avanza, but the vigilant team consisting of Rustenburg and Provincial Crime Intelligence, Provincial Organised Crime, Potchefstroom Public Order Police (POP) and Potchefstroom Flying Squad, pounced on the suspects. Thus, eight males aged between 25 and 48, were arrested. One of the suspects was found in possession of a police officer’s identification card.”
All the suspects were expected to appear in the Klerksdorp Magistrates’ Court on Monday March 25, facing charges of armed robbery and impersonating a police officer. Investigations into the matter are underway and the possibility of linking the suspects with other cases cannot be ruled out.
The Provincial Commissioner of North West, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena lauded all the team members for their commitment to ascertain that organised groups such as this one are dealt with decisively.
