Criminals have been warned that random stop-and-search operations will continue in the Sebenza, Founders View and Long Meadow areas.
Crime prevention operations were conducted on August 28 and September 10.
The Sebenza SAPS communications officer, Constable Sharon Mahamba-Tsotsotso, said the operations were conducted to help curb cable theft, which has been on the rise in the area.
“Cable theft has been on the rise in the Founders View and Long Meadow areas lately and we decided to conduct the August 28 operation to increase visibility and identify the areas criminals use to gain access to the business premises,” said Const Tsotsotso.
Const Tsotsotso said it was difficult to establish where the criminals gain entry when the robberies take place during the night.
She said during the operation, officers managed to chase away people who were loitering around the Founders View and Sebenza areas.
“20 traffic fines were issued to motorists who were violating traffic laws. We have come to realise that criminals usually come to the areas during the day, to assess the areas and establish how they can enter the business premises,” said Const Tsotsotso.
The September 10 operation yielded three arrests for possession of dagga and the illegal sale of alcohol. Two illegal immigrants were also apprehended.
Meanwhile, on September 4, six men were arrested for a business robbery that took place at a Sebenza business.
Const Tsotsotso said the arrests came after the robbery on August 18, when six men held staff at gunpoint and ordered them to lie down.
Const Tsotsotso said according to one of the staff members, five of the men had guns. The suspects took copper and steel worth about R1-million.
“As the suspects tried to make their escape, one of them dropped his cellular phone. The police used the information on the suspect’s phone to trace their whereabouts. Two suspects were arrested in Primrose and four were arrested in the Johannesburg CBD,” said Const Tsotsotso.
She said the the stolen goods were recovered at a scrapyard in Johannesburg.
Const Tsotsotso said the six men were charged with possession of stolen property and business robbery.
