Suspect Arrested In Robbery/Scams Targeting Elderly in Ethekweni - KZN

[News]

A 40 year old Indian male who has been robbing & scamming the elderly in the Verulam CBD in Kwazulu Natal has been arrested by members of Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA).

The RUSA Operations Centre received multiple calls last week of a male that was approaching pensioners in the Central Business District and posed as a long lost family friend.

He would make enquiries regarding the wellbeing of spouses, children & other relatives and then scam the elderly out of several thousands of rands.

A 75 year old woman was held at knifepoint when she realised that she was been scammed.

She was forced into a white Toyota Conquest with registration ND 621 391 & taken to two ATM’s to withdraw cash.

When the withdrawal declined she was taken to a supermarket and forced to draw cash at the till point.

The robbery was captured on camera (video in comments). The suspect wore a mask and was not easily identified (picture 20/21).

When Reaction Officers were approached regarding the robberies & scams, they gathered information and kept the video off circulation.

Officers worked since Friday evening (10/05/2024) in unmarked vehicles and followed up on several leads in Phoenix - Kwazulu Natal.

This afternoon (Monday) Reaction Officers followed up on information and found the white Toyota Conquest (picture 19) used in the robbery.

After a brief observation, Officers surrounded a residence in Wesham in Unit 12 - Phoenix (address withheld) and noticed the suspect attempting jump out of a rear window in a double story home.

He then abandoned the attempt when he noticed that Officers had surrounded the property. When Reaction Officers entered the premises the man could not be located.

Officers based several roads away and were keeping observation through binoculars noticed tiles being removed from the roof.

The suspect was approached via a bathroom ceiling and he refused to exit when instructed. The standoff between the suspect and the Officers lasted approximately 30 minutes.

During the conversation he offered Reaction Officers a bribe of R50 000 in cash for his release.

The suspect was eventually arrested & detained at Verulam SAPS (pictured 10/12).