Two suspects have been caught red-handed with their scooter and an imitation firearm which they
had allegedly used to rob schoolchildren.
Their luck ran out on Friday morning when they attempted to rob a moulana and Islamic students who were on their way to mosque in Palladium Street in Westgate,
Mitchells Plain, just before 5am.
The moulana and the students were wakker and spotted the fake gun.
After a brief tussle, they contacted Riedwaan Nero, an auxiliary Law Enforcement officer nicknamed “Nero the Hero.”
SPOTTED: Skelms on scooter
The award-winning crime-fighter told the Daily Voice he rushed to the scene to find the two suspects.
Upon closer inspection, he recognised the duo from previous CCTV footage obtained in the area.
“When I arrived on the scene,
I contacted the detective on previous cases made against them for robbery,” he says.
“They had taken two persons’ belongings such as a cellphone and bag.”
Nero says the victims were called to assist in the identification of the suspects and the CCTV evidence was a bonus.
“They positively identified these guys,” he says.
“The surveillance showed the same registration and the same motorbike and jacket he was wearing.
“The police found that one of the suspects was wanted for a house robbery.”
CHARGED: Suspects were caught by cops
He adds: “In the past month, we have had an increase in cases where schoolchildren and people on their way to work were being robbed by these guys on a motorbike using the fake gun.”
Law Enforcement spokesperson Wayne Dyason says the suspects were handed over to the SAPS on charges of attempted robbery.