A 17-year-old robbery suspect was arrested and a replica firearm in his possession was recovered by reaction officers in Trenance Park, Verulam, neighbouring Phoenix on Tuesday July 16.
Members of the Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) were on patrol on Trenance Park Drive in Trenance Park when they were flagged down by a member of the public, said Rusa spokesman Prem Balram.
“The man informed the reaction officers that a known robbery suspect who targeted scholars and parents outside schools was seen in the vicinity.
“The man provided a clothing description of the suspect. Officers patrolled the area and spotted an individual matching the description a short distance away. Rusa members confronted him and recovered a replica firearm in his possession,” said Mr Balram.
It was established that the male suspect 17 years old, said Mr Balram. Shortly after a woman arrived on the scene and confirmed that the same individual had robbed her of her valuables earlier that day. The suspect was placed under arrest and handed over to the Verulam police for further investigation.