Alert witness helps nab TV set robbers

A PORT Elizabeth woman who saw a robbery and wrote down the getaway car’s registration number has been praised by the police.

The woman saw 10 plasma television sets and three hi-fi systems being stolen from Lewis Stores in North End at about 5pm on Wednesday.

A joint operation between Motherwell and Mount Road cluster detectives led to the recovery of six of the televisions.

According to police, two men with firearms ushered two delivery personnel, who had been loading furniture, into the store.

Police spokesman Colonel Priscilla Naidu said once inside another staff member had been accosted.

“All three were forced to lie on the ground while the robbers loaded the televisions and hi-fi systems into a car,” she said. “While the robbery was under way, a passerby saw what was happening and took down the registration number of the Toyota Avanza which was being loaded.”

The men fled minutes later in the car and police were alerted.

At about 8pm, the Avanza was spotted travelling near the KwaDwesi police station.

“Police stopped the vehicle. None of the stolen items was inside, but cords belonging to the TVs were found,” Naidu said.

“The Avanza was used as a taxi and the driver was allegedly in on the robbery.”

During the course of the night, members of the Motherwell and Mount Road Operational Command Centres, in conjunction with KwaDwesi and Mount Road detectives, raided several houses.

“Two houses in New Brighton were raided and five televisions found,” Naidu said. “Shortly before midnight, they raided another house in New Brighton and the sixth television was found.”

Naidu said a suspect had been arrested where the sixth television was found.

Attempts to locate the other televisions and hi-fi systems were still under way.

Two men have been arrested and will appear in the New Brighton Magistrate’s Court today for possession of stolen property.

They will also appear in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court on Monday for armed robbery.

Mount Road Cluster commander Major General Thembisile Patekile, said: “We appreciate the information provided by the alert community member.

“Had it not been for her, the results would not have been so swift.”