Reaction officers arrested a 36-year-old man in the Verulam CBD, KwaZulu-Natal, on Monday 12 May after he allegedly attempted to rob a cash loan business on Todd Street.
According to Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA), a female employee at the business raised the alarm at approximately 13:56 when she noticed a customer acting suspiciously.
While still on the line with the RUSA Operations Centre, she reported that the man had begun covering his face with a mask and appeared to be preparing for a robbery.
“The caller was adamant that the male was intending to rob the business,” RUSA said.
Suspect armed with knife
RUSA officers immediately responded and arrived at the scene within minutes.
The employee who made the call fled the premises and told officers she believed the suspect was armed.
Officers entered the store and ordered the suspect to lie on the ground.
RUSA Officers found him in possession of an Okapi knife and took him into custody.
Accomplices flee the scene
An employee from a nearby shop told RUSA officers that the man had arrived with two other individuals.
One of them had stood at the entrance, while the third remained outside. Both fled the scene when RUSA officers approached the premises.
According to RUSA, no injuries occurred during the incident.
RUSA Hands Over Robbery Suspect to SAPS
Members of Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) handed over the arrested attempted robbery suspect to the South African Police Service (SAPS) for further investigation and possible prosecution.
How quickly would you act if you suspected someone was about to commit a crime at your workplace?
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