Police are confident that they have broken the back of a syndicate linked to a series of robberies at OR Tambo International Airport.
This follows the arrest this weekend of a 64-year-old serial robber linked to 42 cases of armed robberies that mostly took place on the R24 near the Barbara off-ramp towards the airport.
According to the police, the suspect, together with his accomplices, robbed three high-ranking senior police officials from one of the African countries on their way to the airport in an e-hailing service.
“The three senior officers were making their way to the airport in an e-hailing service on Saturday afternoon when the vehicle they were travelling in was pulled over by four males travelling in a silver Suzuki swift.
Once the e-hailing driver had pulled over on the side of the R24, the men posed as police officers and thereafter robbed the police general and two other officers of money, watches and cellphones.
Within a few hours, police traced the vehicle and arrested the serial robber,” said police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe.
Police also seized a Suzuki swift that is believed to have been used numerous times in the commission of crimes.
“During investigation, police found that the serial robber has 42 other cases where he was arrested and charged for armed robbery, the possession of an unlicensed firearm, fraud and impersonating a police officer.
These cases date as far back as 1998.
Police believe they have broken the back of a syndicate that has been involved in airport following robberies,” remarked Mathe.
Furthermore, Mathe highlighted that an investigation is also underway to ascertain how “a serial robber of this nature is still roaming the streets of South Africa and not convicted and serving time in a jail cell.”
The suspect will appear before the Kempton Park Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
Police are still searching for three other suspects who were involved in the commission of this crime.
