Cape Town — South African Police Services (SAPS) in Gauteng were quick to arrest six armed men who were on their way to commit a robbery in Sandton, Johannesburg, on Sunday.
Police intercepted a courier company bakkie and a private Toyota bakkie carrying the six suspects en-route to a robbery. Both vehicles were searched and were found in possession of two rifles, three pistols and rounds of live ammunition, a SAPS statement said.
“Police received information about the gang that will be committing robbery around Johannesburg, using a marked courier truck. Members from Johannesburg Flying Squad kept observation and spotted the two vehicles matching the description given, traveling on the N1 South. The police followed the suspects’ until on M1 South in Sandton, where they stopped the vehicles, a branded Courier Company Ford bakkie driven by an employee of the company and a white Toyota double cab bakkie.” police spokesperson, Mavela Masondo, said.
#sapsGP Police intercepted a courier company bakkie and a private Toyota bakkie with six armed suspects who were allegedly en route to commit a robbery in Sandton on 24/03. The suspects were found in possession of two rifles and three pistols loaded with live rounds of… pic.twitter.com/FyjH0jjusI
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) March 24, 2024
Six suspects were arrested and charged with possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunitions as well as conspiracy to commit robbery. The weapons will be sent for ballistic testing to determine if they were used in other crimes, and the suspects will also be profiled to see whether they committed any other crimes.
Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni thanked the members of Johannesburg Flying Squad for foiling yet another robbery that might have led to the loss of lives.
“I thank our members from Flying Squad who acted swiftly after receiving the information and intercepted the suspects before they could commit crime and possibly kill innocent people. I also thank the law-abiding community of Gauteng, who continue to alert the police about criminal activities that are about to take place in our province. Working together, we will squeeze the space for the criminals in Gauteng,” he said.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
