Two heartless skelms who attacked and robbed a Wynberg mom on her way to work are behind bars thanks to wakker armed response officers.
The drama played out along the railway line at Wynberg train station on Tuesday morning when the robbers threatened to shoot the mother if she did not hand over her bag.
But Robin Fernandez of the Special Response Unit, along with his partner Riedewaan Heynes, nabbed the two skelms as they tried to flee.
“Because of all the robberies on the railway line, we make routine stops to see what’s happening,” says Robin.
“On Tuesday morning at about 8.30, we stopped in Ebor Road and walked down when we heard the screams of frantic residents from the Grand Central flats.
“A mother was crossing the railway line and walking to work when the two suspects came and attacked her.
“They demanded she hand over her handbag and threatened to shoot her vrek if she did not comply.”
Robin says they spotted the attackers running away and set up an ambush.
“They were quite a distance and were running towards us but did not see us, so we waited in the bushes for them to come closer.
“As they got nearer, we pounced on them and arrested them on the railway line and recovered the bag.”
He says the traumatised mom was crying at the scene as Wynberg police arrived to assist and return her bag.
“She was very traumatised because of the attack but was grateful they were caught. Residents told us they are the main suspects in the robberies so now we hope the robberies will subside.”
Police spokesperson, Sergeant Wesley Twigg, confirms the case and says: “Two suspects, aged 23 and 24, were arrested on a charge of common robbery.
“According to reports, the suspects accosted a 36-year-old victim. Once charged the suspects will appear in Wynberg Magistrates’ Court.”
monique.duval@inl.co.za