Five-time robber remanded in custody
ALEXANDRA – Alleged serial robber denies charges, remanded in cells.
An accused man who faces five robbery with aggravating circumstances and housebreaking charges committed between 2002 and 2015 was remanded in custody until 2 May by the Alexandra Magistrates’ Court.
The accused denied the charges through his legal representative before Magistrate Renier Boshoff, assisted by state prosecutor Lufuno Maphiri. The first offence, aggravated robbery, was committed on 4 October 2002 at a Bryanston home where at gunpoint, he allegedly assaulted the homeowner before stealing his wristwatch, two bags, jewellery and R4 000 in cash.
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The second offence, housebreaking with the intention to steal, also occurred in Bryanston, on 22 February 2006. He allegedly stole four laptops and three computer servers. The accused committed his third offence, aggravated robbery, again at a Bryanston home, where in May 2015 and at gunpoint, he allegedly assaulted the owner before stealing an Apple iPhone, jewellery, bangles and tablets all worth R70 000.
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The fourth offence, another aggravated robbery in Bryanston, was committed in June 2015, where the accused with three others, wanted by police, allegedly threatened a couple at gun gunpoint and they escaped with a laptop, two wedding rings, a camera, two cell phones, football shirts and bottles of whisky, all worth R70 000. A victim of this robbery who claimed in court to have recognised the accused by his facial marks and complexion, said the suspects tied their hands and forced them to sit on the floor as they ransacked the house.
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The fifth incident, housebreaking with the intention to steal, occurred at a River Park home on 30 December 2015. The suspect allegedly stole a television, sound system, remote control, cell phone and clothing. Testifying in court, a domestic staying in a separate cottage on the River Park home, said she was called at midnight by security guards who responded to an alarm. They searched the house and left after finding no evidence of intrusion. She claimed to have found the kitchen door open the next morning prompting her to report the break-in to the police who investigated.
In mitigation, the suspect denied the charges claiming that he was gainfully engaged through odd jobs. Four other witnesses are to testify at the next hearing. It wasn’t stated in court how he was arrested.
