Commuter robbery suspect arrested

A teenager who, along with two other suspects, allegedly tried to rob commuters inside a taxi at the weekend was arrested while attempting to flee.

A police spokesman said the attack took place in Harrower Road in North End shortly after three men boarded the taxi on Saturday afternoon.

“While inside the taxi, one of the men pulled out a firearm and started robbing passengers,” Warrant Officer Alwin Labans said.

“One of the suspects then climbed into the front section and held the taxi driver at gunpoint.

“The taxi driver stopped in the road and the men jumped out and fled.”

Labans said police were nearby and responded to panicked calls to 10111.

“One of the men was arrested after attempting to hide in a side street.”

The 19-year-old is due to appear in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court today.