A PERPERTRATOR who attempted to commit a robbery with a toy revolver was apprehended by community members in Cactus Drive, Empangeni on Tuesday.
When the ZO arrived on scene, the man believed to be in his 30s had been bound by his hands and feet so he could not escape.
According to Vusi Cili, a Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) member, he was driving in the area when he heard a woman screaming.
‘I heard a lady screaming and so I made a U-turn to go see what was going on.
‘I saw this guy running towards me and I tried to corner him with my vehicle.
‘That’s when he pulled out his fake pistol and pointed it at me.
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‘He asked who I was before he proceeded to shoot a number of times.
‘That’s when I realised it was a toy gun,’ Cili told the ZO.
The perpetrator then began to run as two more community members pursued him on foot.
Not long after the community members were able to apprehend the man.
SAPS were quickly on scene to attend to the situation.
The man was found in possession of a stolen passport, a number of bank cards as well as dagga.
A crime intelligence officer on scene told the ZO she had received info there was a suspicious male walking on Cactus Drive, prior to the incident taking place.
‘When I got here to investigate the community had already apprehended him,’ she said.
According to King Cetshwayo Cluster Police Spokesperson, Captain Mbongeni Mdlalose, the perpetrator seems to have mental issues.
‘He has been charged with attempted house robbery and possession of dagga.
‘He will appear in court in due course at which the court will decide if he needs to be sent for a mental evaluation,’ said Mdlalose.
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