Robbers flee with R3 million in jewellery – police arrest four within hours

Gqeberha – Four suspects have been arrested and jewellery worth an estimated R3 million recovered just hours after an armed robbery at a jewellery store in Jeffreys Bay, the South African Police Service (SAPS) said.

In a statement issued on Monday, SAPS said the breakthrough followed a coordinated operation involving first responders, CCTV footage, local security networks and the NAVIC tracking system.

“Excellent operational synergy and a rapid response led to the swift arrest of four suspects and the recovery of jewellery with an estimated value of more than R3 million within hours of an armed business robbery at a local jewellery store in Jeffreys Bay,” police said.

According to SAPS, the robbery took place at about 10:15am on Sunday, 2 August, while staff were assisting customers inside the store.

Police said two armed men entered the business before being joined by additional suspects.

“The perpetrators drew firearms, threatened the occupants, and ordered everyone to lie on the floor. Shortly thereafter, additional suspects entered the premises and smashed the glass display cabinets, looting a large quantity of jewellery with an estimated value of R3 000 000.00,” the statement said.

No shots were fired during the robbery and no injuries were reported.

Police said investigators immediately reviewed CCTV footage and circulated descriptions of the suspects’ getaway vehicles through local security networks and the NAVIC tracking system.

“Following the immediate activation of first responders and the review of closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage, the suspect vehicle descriptions were swiftly circulated via local security networks and the NAVIC tracking system,” SAPS said.

Members of the Gqeberha Flying Squad later spotted one of the vehicles travelling at high speed on the N2 from Jeffreys Bay towards Gqeberha and intercepted it.

A search of the vehicle led to the arrest of four suspects, aged between 24 and 36.

“Police confiscated a large quantity of jewellery still bearing tags belonging to the jewellery store, one round of AK-47 ammunition, and clothing matching the exact description worn by the suspects during the robbery,” the statement said.

The suspects remain in custody and are expected to appear in court on charges of possession of suspected stolen property and unlawful possession of ammunition.

SAPS said Sarah Baartman District Commissioner Major General Thandiswa Kupiso had praised the officers involved in the operation.

“The Sarah Baartman District Commissioner, Major General Thandiswa Kupiso, highly commended the operational synergy and rapid response that led to the swift breakthrough,” the statement said.