Repeat offenders sought for hits on malls
|Published
Police have called on the public to help them find suspects linked to recent armed robberies at shopping malls in Somerset West and Brackenfell. Police have called on the public to help them find suspects linked to recent armed robberies at shopping malls in Somerset West and Brackenfell.
Cape Town - Two repeat offenders, who skipped bail for a previous robbery, are among the suspects being hunted by police in connection with a spate of mall robberies in and around Cape Town.
The two were convicted of robbery in connection with a case in Woodstock earlier this year. Identikits were released by police earlier this week as they appealed to the public to help them find the suspects.
Their appeal was supported on Thursday by Community Safety MEC Dan Plato, who commended the investigating officers for their work.
But Plato also asked how it was possible for two convicted men to find a loophole which allowed them bail so they could continue committing crimes.
“I commend the South African Police Service (SAPS) for releasing identikits and calling on the people of the Western Cape to assist with identifying the suspects involved in the recent spate of armed robberies at malls and shopping centres,” Plato said on Thursday.
“It must be understood that certain criteria need to be followed before the SAPS can release CCTV footage to the public, and now that they have done so, I urge the public to assist the police with information on the whereabouts of these suspects.
“Members of the public can rest assured that the information will be treated confidentially and can submit information on the whereabouts of the suspects to Captain Charl Kinnear at 082 820 8015.
“I also urge the police to, where possible, partner with the public in the same manner for help in other crimes committed. We are all striving to create safer communities in the Western Cape and through meaningful partnerships, these safer environments are possible.
“However, for the whole-of-society approach to be effectively implemented we have to be consistently critical of any loopholes that require the attention from any sphere of government, department or organisation involved.
“In this regard, we have to ask where the loopholes are that allowed at least two of the identified suspects to be roaming the streets when they are repeat offenders out on bail, for armed robbery perpetrated in March already, and failed to return to court.
“These loopholes need to be investigated and closed as a matter of urgency. I will be raising this matter with provincial police management,” Plato said.
Cape Argus