Gauteng highway patrol members arrest seven suspects after recovering four stolen vehicles and one suspected stolen vehicle, a cash-in-transit money-box with cash in five different incidents across the province over the weekend
Different teams of the Gauteng Highway Patrol (HP) Unit this past weekend, secured the arrest of a total of seven suspects after recovering four stolen vehicles and one suspected stolen vehicle, a money-box belonging to a Cash-in-Transit company with an undisclosed amount of cash, and an illegal firearm.
The HP team that was conducting a Vehicle Checkpoint (VCP) operation next to Mabena traffic circle in Mamelodi on Saturday, 06 March 2021 stopped and searched a white Toyota Etios and its three occupants. The members found in the vehicle a firearm with serial numbers filed off as well as live rounds of ammunition. The three were arrested for possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
In the second incident the HP team patrolling the R21 on the same Saturday responded to information of a stolen Renault Sandero travelling between Brakpan and Tembisa. The members tracked and found the vehicle abandoned on Kenya Street in Tembisa. An investigation is underway towards the apprehension of the suspect(s).
Meanwhile, three suspects aged 26, 36 and 43 were arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle after the HP team patrolling the N17 stopped a suspicious Toyota Corolla traveling towards Orlando and found that the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) had been erased. An on-site investigation immediately confirmed that the vehicle had been reported stolen at Cleveland SAPS.
While en-route to the SAPS impounding facility for processing of the Toyota Corolla, the members noticed and stopped a suspicious Fiat Uno which after testing, police found that the engine number and chassis had been tampered with. The vehicle was impounded for further investigation.
Still on Saturday 06 March 2021, the HP team working on the R-80 responded to information of a stolen Renault Sandero and tracked the vehicle which they found abandoned in Winterveldt in Tshwane.
On Friday evening 05 March 2021, five HP teams jointly operationalised information about suspected CIT robbers and arrived at the given address in Regent Park, Johannesburg. The members found on the premises a Ford Ranger fitted with false registration plates. They entered the house and after searching found a money box belonging to a CIT company and an undisclosed amount of cash. Police seized the vehicle for further investigation, the money box and the money, as well as items found in the Ford Ranger including a pair of gloves. One suspect was arrested.
The arrested suspects will appear in court in due course while investigations into the respective cases continue.
