Cape Town – A thorough police investigation and fingerprint results have revealed that a suspect arrested in November 2022 gave police a false name to try and evade prosecution for about 100 cases of house robberies in Gauteng.
In a statement, police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo said that during the investigation, the suspect’s fingerprints had come back from Forensic Services and police found that he was one of the most wanted criminals in the province.
The investigation team consisted of a number of law enforcement units that, through a joint effort launched an investigation into the November 2022 robbery.
“In October 2022, following information received, the team consisting of SAPS Gauteng Serious and Violent Crime Investigation Unit, SAPS Johannesburg K9 Unit, SAPS Fairlands, SAPS Crime Intelligence and CAP Security initiated an investigation into a house robbery syndicate operating in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg.
#sapsGP #SAPS Investigating Team’s thorough investigation and fingerprint results revealed that a suspect, arrested in Nov 2022, linked him to about 100 cases of house robberies perpetrated in Northern suburbs of JHB over the past 8 years. #TrioCrimes MEhttps://t.co/51hyFiZSAg pic.twitter.com/WUTLpCrcI5
— SA Police Service ?? (@SAPoliceService) February 11, 2023
“Through a joint effort, the team was able to arrest three suspects in November 2022, recovering a firearm and a stolen vehicle, Masondo said.
He added: “During the arrest, a shootout ensued between the police and the suspects which resulted in the prime suspect being critically wounded. He was taken to hospital under police guard. During this time, he provided authorities with a false name and due to his injuries the process of identification was delayed.
“His fingerprints came back from Forensic Services revealing his true identity and confirming that he is on the police’s most wanted suspects. He is linked to more about one hundred (100) house robbery cases that were committed in the Northern suburbs of Johannesburg over the past 8 years.”
Masondo said that the suspect had since been denied bail and he remained in custody.
“He will be charged for the multitude of crimes that occurred throughout Johannesburg – mainly house robberies.
Gauteng Provincial Commissioner, Elias Mawela, commended the team for their good work and asked the investigating team to ensure that the case and investigation lead to a lengthy jail sentence.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
