A GROUP of five suspected armed robbers thought they had made the perfect getaway except they failed to notice the diesel they had stolen dripping from a container – leading police straight to their front door
The men – who have earned themselves the reputation of being the dumbest criminals among Nelson Mandela’s policemen – were arrested at a Schauder Avenue, Holland Park, house at about 1.15am yesterday.
Police spokesman Captain Stanley Jarvis said the robbers – armed with one toy gun – arrived at the Quest Petrol Station in Kempston Road, Sidwell, and asked the attendant to fill up a minibus and Isuzu bakkie at about 1am.
“After filling the vehicles, one of the men pulled out a firearm and held the attendant at gunpoint while demanding that he also fill the four drums at the back of the bakkie,” he said.
“A detective in an unmarked police vehicle was across the road and saw that something did not look right. He went to investigate and the robbers took off down Kempston Road. A car chase ensued but the robbers lost both vehicles near Stebonheath Road in Sydenham.”
Jarvis said police circulated the vehicle’s details and came across a trail of diesel on the road.
“They followed the trail of diesel which led them straight to the men’s house. Both vehicles were found inside the yard and the drums of diesel were still on the back of the bakkie,” he said.
“As they entered the house some of the suspects were trying to wash the diesel off their skin. After a brief search of the house the officers found the attendant’s cellphone that was stolen as well as the toy gun used in the robbery.”
The five men – who cannot be named until they appear in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court later today – face charges of armed robbery and theft.
Dumb crooks
A GROUP of five suspected armed robbers thought they had made the perfect getaway except they failed to notice the diesel they had stolen dripping from a container – leading police straight to their front door
The men – who have earned themselves the reputation of being the dumbest criminals among Nelson Mandela’s policemen – were arrested at a Schauder Avenue, Holland Park, house at about 1.15am yesterday.
Police spokesman Captain Stanley Jarvis said the robbers – armed with one toy gun – arrived at the Quest Petrol Station in Kempston Road, Sidwell, and asked the attendant to fill up a minibus and Isuzu bakkie at about 1am.
“After filling the vehicles, one of the men pulled out a firearm and held the attendant at gunpoint while demanding that he also fill the four drums at the back of the bakkie,” he said.
“A detective in an unmarked police vehicle was across the road and saw that something did not look right. He went to investigate and the robbers took off down Kempston Road. A car chase ensued but the robbers lost both vehicles near Stebonheath Road in Sydenham.”
Jarvis said police circulated the vehicle’s details and came across a trail of diesel on the road.
“They followed the trail of diesel which led them straight to the men’s house. Both vehicles were found inside the yard and the drums of diesel were still on the back of the bakkie,” he said.
“As they entered the house some of the suspects were trying to wash the diesel off their skin. After a brief search of the house the officers found the attendant’s cellphone that was stolen as well as the toy gun used in the robbery.”
The five men – who cannot be named until they appear in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court later today – face charges of armed robbery and theft.
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