“Gang members” involved in violent and serious crimes arrested in Gauteng

Gauteng police had a busy weekend with several arrests made of suspects belonging to gangs committing violent and serious crimes in their policing precinct.

The arrests were made during an integrated force of Operation O Kae Molao led by Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Elias Mawela.

POLICE IN HIGH-SPEED CHASE WITH ALLEGED GANG MEMBERS

Three suspects believed to belong to a group responsible for serious and violent crimes were arrested in possession of an AK-47 rifle with 16 rounds of ammunition and a hijacked vehicle.

The suspects were arrested in Soweto on Saturday after a high-speed chase with police until they were cornered at Chris Hani road in Diepkloof.

“Members of the Highway Patrol Unit acted on crime intelligence information and stopped a car with three occupants suspected to be responsible for serious and violent crimes.

“The suspects ignored the police and a high-speed chase ensued until the suspects were cornered at Chris Hani road.”

Gauteng provincial police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo said. 

While searching the suspects and the vehicle, police found an AK-47 rifle loaded with ammunition. 

Masondo said preliminary investigation revealed that the Audi driven by the suspects was hijacked in Primrose, Ekurhuleni.

The suspects, who are reported to be undocumented foreign nationals, are suspected to be behind cross pavement robberies in Gauteng and neighbouring provinces.

ANOTHER GANG STOPPED IN THEIR TRACKS

In another incident on Saturday, intercepted and pounced on armed suspects who were allegedly en route to commit a business robbery at one of the chain stores in Johannesburg.

The arrest took place in Hillbrow in the evening. Suspects aged between 31 and 44 were found in possession of three unlicensed firearms, ammunition and suspected stolen vehicles. 

Crime intelligence members received information about a gang that was en route to commit a business robbery at one of the chain stores in Johannesburg. 

“The information was operationalised and members from different units of SAPS and other law enforcement agencies kept close observation until they spotted two cars that matched the description given.”

Lieutenant Colonel Masondo said.

Searching the occupants and both vehicles,  police discovered they were armed with different kinds of pistols and live rounds of ammunition. 

All suspects were arrested for conspiracy to commit business robbery and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

THOUSANDS ARRESTED DURING POLICE OPERATION

Meanwhile, 1 970 other suspects were arrested for various crimes across the province during operation O Kae Molao. 

Twenty-five of these suspects were arrested for driving while under the influence of alcohol in Hillbrow and another 28 were arrested in other districts within the province.

More than 200 suspects were arrested by detectives while tracing people that have been on the run after committing crimes.

“Some of the suspects already paid admission of guilty and were released while others are expected to appear at different Magistrate Courts this week.”

Lieutenant Colonel Masondo said.

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