Cops arrest 8 in crackdown on Westville crime

KZN SAPS have cracked down on criminals targeting Westville, nabbing eight suspects over the past two days.

Alarmingly, a policeman was one of the suspects arrested on Thursday – and the vehicle the robbers arrived in had what appeared to be police registration plates.

In Thursday’s incident, members of the Durban Flying Squad received information about suspects planning a house robbery in Westville, said KZN SAPS spokesperson Captain Nqobile Gwala.

“The officers acted on intelligence-driven information about the suspects en route to commit a robbery in the Westville area using a white Hyundai Accent with the police registration plates.”

The Pinetown Trio Task Team and Shongweni K9 unit members responded, and the vehicle with four occupants was intercepted at the corner of Rockdale Avenue and Tweed Road.

“The occupants were searched and housebreaking implements including a crowbar, balaclava and gloves were found in their possession.

“An unlicensed firearm with a serial number filed off was also confiscated. Investigations revealed that the suspects were using the fake police plates,” said Gwala.

Four suspects, aged between 24 and 34, were arrested.

“Among the arrested suspects is a police official stationed at Pietermaritzburg. Charges of conspiracy to commit a crime, possession of an unlicensed firearm, ammunitions, possession of suspected stolen property and possession of housebreaking implements are being investigated by Westville SAPS,” she added.

In yesterday morning’s incident, four suspects armed with a screwdriver and knife entered a home on Kinley Place, Westville.

“They held the complainant and her son and took jewellery, cash, a laptop and other items.

“The Westville SAPS members with the assistance of Durban Flying Squad and Shongweni K9 unit responded and chased the suspects. They managed to arrest all four and all the stolen property was recovered,” she said.

During the incident, the suspects accidentally pressed the panic alarm. That led to police and security officers swooping in on the house, said Blue Security community and media liaison officer Andreas Mathios.

“The suspects attacked the resident and her 11-year-old son in their home, holding them up. They then tried to open the garage door manually but within a minute our officer arrived.” The suspects fled but the police gave chase and arrested two of them. Mathios said the boy had sustained a minor injury to his shoulder.

Deputy mayor Fawzia Peer said there were ongoing enforcement and monitoring efforts by law enforcement.