Six suspects apprehended for attack on RUSA officer in Verulam

Six robbery suspects were apprehended after a quick-thinking off-duty RUSA Officer circulated information to his colleagues immediately after he was attacked on Todd Street in the Verulam CBD – KZN.

The Off-duty civilian-attired RUSA Member was walking towards his vehicle on Todd Street at approximately 15:03 when four armed men attacked him. He fought off the suspects who attempted to overpower him. The Reaction Officer fell to the ground and drew his concealed firearm while fighting off the men who opened up Oakpi knives in an attempt to stab him. The suspects fled empty-handed. The Officer called back from his company-issued two-way radio which he had in his private vehicle.

The Officer positioned backup Reaction Officers strategically along possible escape paths the suspects would use after he spotted the robbers entering the railway line from the parking lot of the Verulam Magistrates Court. RUSA Members apprehended four suspects and two other men who were posing as lookouts. They attempted to attack RUSA Members in an attempt to flee but were subdued and restrained. One suspect was seriously injured after he fell while fleeing on the railway line.

A second suspect was confirmed to be the son of a SAPS Policeman. Some of the suspects were found in possession of the second set of clothing which they changed into in an attempt to alter their appearance after the incident. They were also found in possession of knives and other dangerous weapons.

Two complaints arrived on the scene following the arrest and confirmed that the same group of males robbed them in the CBD today. One of the complainants was the chairman of the Verulam Business Forum who was robbed earlier today at knifepoint.

All six (6) suspects were handed over to the Verulam SAPS for further investigation.