A police officer. (Photo: Hansie Linde)
Police officers at OR Tambo International Airport have arrested a 64-year-old suspected robber, who targets motorists near the airport, after he apparently also robbed three senior police officers.
The three officers were on their way to the airport in an e-taxi on Saturday afternoon, when four men in a silver Suzuki Swift forced the vehicle they were traveling in to stop.
After the e-taxi driver stopped on the R24, the men posing as police officers robbed the general and two other police officers of their money, watches and mobile phones.
“The police located the vehicle hours later and arrested one of the robbers,” Brig. Athlenda Mathe, police spokesperson, said.
The police also seized the Suzuki which was believed to have been used to commit the offences. According to the preliminary investigation, motorists were mainly targeted on the R24 near the airport.
The three officers were on their way to the airport in an e-taxi on Saturday afternoon, when four men in a silver Suzuki Swift forced the vehicle they were traveling in to stop. (Photo: Provided)
“During the investigation, it was established that the robber was allegedly also involved in 42 other cases, some of which date back as far as 1998,” said Mathe.
The man was charged with armed robbery, possession of an unlicensed firearm, fraud and impersonating a police officer.
“The police believe they have busted a syndicate that stalks and then robs people in the vicinity of the airport,” said Mathe.
The man will appear at Kempton Park Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
Police are still looking for three other suspects involved in the crime spree.