Mpumalanga stolen property

Three suspects found with stolen property in Mpumalanga
Image via Adobe Stock

Foiled diamond robbery: Suspects including two SAPS members arrested

Gauteng police foiled a diamond robbery on Saturday and managed to arrested 11 suspects and seize three unlicensed firearms.

Mpumalanga stolen property

Three suspects found with stolen property in Mpumalanga
Image via Adobe Stock

South African Police Service (SAPS) National Crime Intelligence’s information dispatched to Gauteng Police resulted in a foiled diamond robbery in Bryanston and the arrest of 11 suspects, including two SAPS members on Saturday night 5 December 2020. 

GAUTENG DIAMOND ROBBERY: MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAM TAKE ACTION

A multi-disciplinary team in the Gauteng province comprising of members from the National Crime Intelligence, Provincial Specific Crime, Fidelity Specific Services, CAP Security Services, Johannesburg Flying Squad, K9 Unit, Johannesburg Metro Police, Tactical Response Team and Special Task Force operationalised information regarding a planned business robbery at a Bryanston diamond outlet by holding an observation far from the targeted place from midday.

At about 20:30 on Saturday, the team identified three vehicles driving towards the target place, one of them a marked police bakkie. 

“The suspects got out of the vehicles and the police approached but then the suspects started shooting at the police. The members returned fire and subsequently arrested 11 suspects, two of them with gunshot wounds on their legs,” said Colonel Brenda Muridili.  

None of the team members were injured, however, three of the police’s vehicles were riddled with bullets. During the arrest, the police seized three firearms — a rifle and two pistols — and two vehicles including the marked police bakkie. 

SUSPECTS TO APPEAR IN COURT ON TUESDAY

The suspects will be appearing in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday 8 December 2020 and will face charges of conspiracy to commit robbery, attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, possession of suspected stolen vehicles and driving vehicle without owner’s consent.

Muridili said the multi-disciplinary team was also responsible for the arrest of four suspects on Friday believed to be part of a syndicate that has been linked to a string of robberies in Gauteng where courier vehicles are targeted. 

“The suspects at the time of the arrest were allegedly on their way to commit a robbery in Fourways as per information received from Crime Intelligence. They were found with two unlicensed firearms, a jammer and a Toyota Prado that had been hijacked in Eldorado Park,” said Muridili. 

Regarding the Gauteng diamond robbery that was to be committed, all the unlicensed firearms will be taken for ballistic tests to determine whether they were used to commit other crimes. 

“The arrested police members, a detective sergeant stationed in Kempton Park and an administration clerk from Springs FCS will also be subjected to a departmental disciplinary investigation,” added Muridili.