“Hustling” paramedic arrested following armed robbery at Post Office
The police successfully tracked down and arrested two suspects, aged 26 and 39, shortly after they committed a business robbery at the Mangweni post office on the morning of Friday, February 2, 2024, around 7:10 am.
The arrest took place in Naas, Nkomazi, where law enforcement not only arrested the individuals but also recovered a firearm, ammunition, and other items. To the surprise of many, one of the suspects is believed to be working as a paramedic.
The armed suspects entered the post office, held employees at gunpoint, and demanded cash. The employees were then tied up with cable ties. The suspects took an undisclosed amount of cash from the safe, along with keys from the post office, before fleeing in a VW Golf, leaving the tied-up employees in a helpless situation. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the incident.
Must read: 22-Year-Old Sifiso Mkhwanazi Accused of Killing 6 Sex Workers and 7 Counts of Rape
Paramedic Uniform
How a paramedic was arrested for robbery at post office
Once alerted about the robbery the police immediately started actively searching for the suspects. A concerned citizen spotted the getaway VW Golf and promptly informed the police. This led to the police cornering the two male suspects at Naas in Nkomazi.
Get away vehicle
During the arrest, the police recovered a firearm with approximately 10 live rounds of ammunition. Additionally, they found an undisclosed amount of cash believed to be stolen during the robbery, paramedic uniforms, keys suspected to be from the post office, and cable ties likely used by the suspects during the crime.
The firearm had been reported stolen during a house burglary in Mayflower in April 2023. To establish any connections to other crimes, the firearm will undergo ballistic testing. As a result, the possibility of adding more charges against the suspects cannot be ruled out as the investigation progresses.
The two suspects are expected to appear at the Nkomazi Magistrate’s Court in Tonga on Monday, February 5, 2024. They face charges of possession of suspected stolen properties, possession of an unlicensed firearm with ammunition, and potential charges related to the reported business robbery as well as the house burglary in which the firearm was stolen last year in 2023.
Other items found
Meanwhile the Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, has praised SAPS members for their swift response which led to the arrest of the suspects as well as recovery of a firearm which was previously stolen. “We are also thankful to members of the public who continuously work hand in gloves with us, by alerting us on the whereabouts of suspects. Working together in this fashion, we can only achieve more,” said the General.