Detective Warrant Officer Walter Neil Marais of Wentworth SAPS was commended for securing a 12 year sentence for Preston Shaun Marais after he was convicted for business robbery.
Marais used his excellent detective skills, commitment and dedication for his work by collecting necessary statements and gathering evidence.
Communications Officer of Wentworth SAPS, Captain Mbuso Gumede said that the complainant aged 23 was inside the company premises in Phillip Frame Street Jacobs in November last year.
He said: “She was busy at work when four male suspects entered the premises. One of the suspects produced a firearm and the others demanded money and cell phones from the complainant and another employee at gunpoint. An amount of cash R1 600, Huawei and Mobicel cellphones were taken by the suspects from the employees. The other suspects’ faces were covered with masks while one did not use a mask. After the commission of the crime, the suspects jumped into a grey Peugeot vehicle and left the crime scene. The victim identified one of them who had no mask on his face. She knew his face well and managed to point him out. On Monday 15 November 202 at about 8:30am, the complainant was at Wentworth SAPS when she noticed one of the suspects known to her inside the station premises. She pointed out the suspect to the investigating officer. The suspect was arrested and detained for a business robbery which he committed.”
Cpt Gumede said that the suspect known as Preston Marais aged 25 was charged and he appeared in Durban court Court 10 last year in November.
“Bail was granted by the court but the accused kept on appearing in court until he was convicted and found guilty of business robbery, sentenced to 12 years direct imprisonment recently and will be serving his sentence in Westville prison,” he said.
The detective was commended by the Station Commander, Colonel SP Mtshali and station management for arresting the said suspect and securing a conviction. Station Commander, Colonel SP Mtshali said this will send a strong message to others who think of committing any other crime and prey on vulnerable people that they will face the full might of the law and be punished for their wrong doing.
