Members of Reaction Unit South Africa at the scene after four armed suspects attempted to rob a schoolboy in the Verulam CBD.
Image: Reaction Unit South Africa
REACTION Unit South Africa (Rusa) are on a mission to find a gang operating in the Verulam CBD area, who tried to rob a schoolboy at gunpoint of his cellphone.
The public is urged to come forward with information that could lead to their arrest.
Prem Balram, the head of Rusa, said the four suspects allegedly attempted to rob a schoolboy on Todd Street on Wednesday.
He said initial reports suggested that the suspects were wearing school uniform, however, CCTV footage has since confirmed they were dressed in civilian clothing.
“Rusa was called out after the Grade 10 pupil sought assistance from a passerby. Reaction officers were dispatched and on arrival, interviewed the victim who said while walking along Todd Street he was approached by the four men. He said one of the suspects produced a firearm and attempted to rob him of his cellphone.
“The teenager refused to hand over the device and fled to safety. The suspects thereafter escaped on Wick Street in the CBD. Reaction officers conducted an extensive search of the area, however no arrests were made,” he said.
Balram said members of the public are urged not to approach the suspects.
“The suspects are armed and dangerous. It is of great concern that they will not hesitate to discharge their firearms should a victim resist, which could lead to a person being seriously injured or killed. However, Rusa is searching for the suspects, and will not stop until we find them, and hand them over to the police,” he said.
Balram added that various types of crimes were on the rise in the CBD.
“We receive about eight calls a day related to incidents in the CBD, however, not all are regarding a crime in progress. Some of the calls we receive are reports of a suspicious person or vehicle. But most crimes we deal with in the CBD are related to robberies. There are two types of robberies. We have common robbery which is when a knife is used, and we have armed robbery when a firearm is used. There are more common robberies, and in some instances the victims have been stabbed.
“There are also cases of handbags being snatched, pickpocketing, and theft of or out of motor vehicles. However, common robberies happen more frequently,” he said.
Balram said Rusa has created more visibility in an attempt to combat crime in the CBD.
“We deploy more members and vehicles on days when the CBD is expected to be busy. This is usually on market days, Fridays and at the weekend. We also take out the aircraft (helicopter) occasionally to serve as a deterrent. Joint-operations with law enforcement are also conducted to search for wanted persons and gangs operating in the CBD,” he said.
If you have any information, contact Rusa on 086 1234 333 or South African Police Service on 10111.