Notorious Rav4 gang arrested

Pini Bothoko | Tuesday October 10, 2017 15:53

 

The suspects, who are believed to have been using a Toyota Rav 4 vehicle as a get-away, were arrested on Sunday evening at Calabash Bar in Broadhurst after a tip-off.

Broadhurst Police Station commander Obusitswe Lokae said during the arrest they were found in possession of some of the stolen items in their car.

“Their Sunday victim was walking home from church. She managed to identify their car’s registration number and reported to the police.

She told the police that they snatched away her handbag with her cellphone and other valuables and drove away. When arresting them, we found in their car the victim’s Bible with her name written on it,” Lokae said.

Lokae stated that for a while now, they have been overwhelmed with reports of a certain maroon Toyota Rav 4 that was used by the suspects as a get-away car after committing crimes. He said they targeted things like cellphones, bags and laptops.

“We have been receiving reports that there is a certain Toyota Rav 4 car alleged to be used in theft incidents around the city and finally on Sunday we made a breakthrough and arrested the suspects. The suspects are two men aged 27 and 39 years and a 25-year-old woman who are all Batswana,” Lokae said.

He stated that it is alleged that two of the suspects walk in passages targeting people whilst their car will be driving nearby. He said after snatching items from their victims they run towards the car, jump in and drive away.

He said in another incident, still on Sunday morning, the trio tried to snatch a cell phone from a 26-year-old woman whilst walking alone, but she fended them off.

“She said that whilst struggling with them another woman came to her rescue and they ran away and drove away in a Toyota Rav 4 car with the same number plate,” Lokae said. He said that the trio are alleged to have other cases reported to other police stations.

“Investigations on the matter are still ongoing. We currently have two cases with them and have established that they have similar cases at Gaborone West and Central police stations,” Lokae explained.