High life heist: women arrested for shoplifting in luxury Mercedes-Benz
|Published
Durban — Two women travelling in a Mercedes-Benz are expected in court after they were caught for shoplifting over the weekend.
On Sunday morning, the Greater Westmead Association (GWA) Tactical Team and Marshall Security were involved in two successful operations, leading to the apprehension of suspects linked to separate criminal incidents in the Hillcrest and uMlazi areas.
Marshall Security managing director Tyron Powell said around 11.30am their GWA Tactical Team spotted a black Mercedes-Benz on Henry Pennington Road in Westmead.
The vehicle had been identified as being involved in a shoplifting incident two days earlier in Hillcrest. The incident involved two female suspects who distracted retail employees while one of them concealed a stolen leather handbag under her dress.
“Our Tactical Team discreetly followed the vehicle while co-ordinating with SAPS. A short while later, the vehicle was successfully brought to a halt in the Ashley area,” Powell said.
“With the support of the Pinetown Trio Crimes Unit, it was confirmed that the occupants were indeed the suspects involved in the shoplifting.”
Powell said both suspects were apprehended and taken to Hillcrest SAPS for further investigation and processing.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Constable Thenjiswa Ngcobo said: “Police in Hillcrest have arrested two suspects aged 61 and 75 years for shoplifting, following an incident in which the two suspects allegedly went to a certain business premises at Hillcrest and when they left it was discovered that certain items were missing.”
Ngcobo said the suspects are expected to appear in Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on Monday, August 12.
In another incident, on Saturday morning, the GWA Tactical Team spotted a blue Toyota Quest in the Westmead area travelling along Henry Pennington Road – it had been involved in a recent business robbery.
Powell said the vehicle was stopped on Josiah Gumede Road while still in communication with the SAPS.
“Upon further investigations with Pinetown SAPS, who were on scene, the driver of the vehicle, who claimed to have no knowledge of the robbery, was taken into custody,” Powell said.
He said the driver and vehicle used in the commission of the crime were taken to the Pinetown police station for further investigation.
Police were approached for comment regarding the second incident.
“These incidents highlight the technology infrastructure that has been implemented by the GWA to make a difference and the co-ordinated efforts and swift actions taken by the Greater Westmead Association, Marshall Security, and Pinetown SAPS to ensure the safety and security of our community,” Powell said.
“We commend our officers for their vigilance and rapid response, ensuring that those involved in criminal activities are promptly brought to justice.”
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