With the assistance of the community, other law enforcement units and security companies, the Edenvale SAPS arrested 15 suspects between July 3 and 9.
The arrests included the three suspects arrested on July 7 following a shootout with officers in Greenstone.
Captain Jean Olckers, spokesperson of the Edenvale SAPS said another five suspects were arrested between July 7 and 8.
He highlighted that two of the arrests were connected to a case opened on June 28.
Olckers said a man opened a case of robbery on June 28 at the Edenvale SAPS. He told police he had been robbed by two individuals, one of which wielded a screwdriver while walking home.
The victim said he was threatened and his cellphone was taken from him.
Just over a week later the two suspects were arrested for robbery when the victim recognised the pair drinking at a beer hall and he called the Edenvale SAPS.
The duo was arrested on July 7.
Another three suspects were arrested on July 8.
The first arrest of the day was made after vigilant Edenvale SAPS officers, on patrol, noticed two suspicious men and decided to search them.
While searching the men, the officers found a firearm and ammunition on one of the men.
Olckers said the firearm was tested and it was found to be stolen and related to a case in Springs.
The individual who was in possession of the firearm, an off-duty security officer, was arrested for the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.
The second arrest was made after another person was robbed of his cellphone.
Olckers said the victim had been choked from behind by one suspect while the other searched him for valuables.
During the search, the suspects found the phone and fled.
“After he was robbed the victim ran after the suspects screaming for help,” said Olckers.
While chasing the two suspects the victim flagged down a private security car and they were apprehended.
Edenvale SAPS was contacted and the two men were charged with robbery.
The victim’s phone was returned.
Olckers said the remaining seven arrests consisted of drug-related crimes and motorists driving under the influence of alcohol.
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