KEY POINTS
- Three suspects were arrested in Letsitele after a young woman was robbed at gunpoint.
- One of the suspects attempted to sell the stolen phone, leading police to the group.
- The trio is in custody and will soon appear in court as investigations continue.
Three men suspected of an armed robbery in Letsitele, Limpopo, are now behind bars after an undercover police operation led to their arrest.
IOL reports that the trio’s undoing came when one of them attempted to sell a stolen mobile phone, which ultimately guided officers straight to them.
The robbery incident occurred on the night of Saturday, February 22, when a 21-year-old woman was walking through Msiphana village. According to Limpopo police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Thakeng, the victim was targeted in a well-planned attack.
“The victim was walking along the street when a white Toyota Quantum minibus, without a registration number, approached her with three male occupants. Unexpectedly, she was threatened at gunpoint and robbed of her cellphone, valued at R3,500. The suspects then fled the scene at high speed,” said Thakeng.
The victim promptly reported the robbery to the police, triggering a manhunt for the perpetrators.
Breakthrough in the investigation
On Tuesday, February 25, at approximately 5 p.m., police received intelligence about a man attempting to sell a phone matching the description of the stolen device. Officers traced the suspect to Bridgeway village, where they discovered him in possession of the stolen phone.
He was immediately arrested, and further investigation led officers to his two accomplices. By the end of the operation, all three robbery suspects—aged between 17 and 25—were taken into custody.
“The swift response from law enforcement ensured that all three suspects were apprehended before they could commit further crimes,” said Thakeng.
The suspects are currently being held in custody and are expected to appear before the Ritavi Magistrate’s Court soon on charges of armed robbery.
Authorities have confirmed that investigations are still ongoing, as they seek to determine whether the trio may be linked to other criminal activities in the region.
Residents of Letsitele have applauded the police for their quick action, emphasizing the need for stronger security measures to curb violent crime.
“We live in fear because of these criminals. We appreciate the police’s efforts, but we need more patrols and stronger measures to prevent such incidents,” said a community member.
Police have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to local law enforcement.
