The combined efforts by members of Alice, Grahamstown, King Williams Town, East London and Port Alfred clusters last night led to the arrest of eight suspects who were allegedly involved in an armed robbery at a retail store in King Williams Town on Wednesday afternoon.
Members from Grahamstown Crime intelligence were alerted that a silver Opel Corsa, matching the description of the suspect’s vehicle was travelling on the N2 and the vehicle was stopped outside Peddie.
Three suspects were arrested and several cellphones suspected to have been taken from the earlier robbery were recovered in the vehicle.
A further five suspects were arrested, four firearms and several cell phones were recovered when a second vehicle that is a white Chevrolet Aveo, also allegedly involved in the crime was later stopped outside Grahamstown.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner Major General Andre Swart issued a warning to perpetrators of crime, “the SAPS in the Eastern Cape are committed to ridding criminals off our streets and we will continue in our pursuit towards our mission to create a safe and secure environment for the community that we serve” he said.
The suspects face several charges including armed robbery, possession of unlicensed firearms and unlawful possession of ammunition. The suspects are expected to appear in court soon.