Tavern owner caught with stolen firearm
Upon his arrest the suspect claimed that he is well-connected and will be a free man soon.
Acting on information received from a reliable source, members of the EMPD Tracing Unit arrested a 45-year-old man in Daveyton for being in possession of a stolen firearm on July 20.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Kelebogile Thepa, EMPD spokesperson, the source claimed that the tavern owner works closely with illegal miners and that he may be involved in other illegal activities.
“Officers were dispatched to the suspects’ home in Polong Street, where they were met by a pregnant woman. She conceded to the home being searched,” said Thepa.
“Upon entering the house, officers heard sounds emitting from the ceiling, shortly followed by the suspect climbing out of the trap door.
“Acting swiftly, the officers climbed into the ceiling and found an unlicensed 9mm pistol, with its serial number still intact, a homemade firearm, a R5 rifle magazine as well as 63 live rounds of ammunition.”
In a further search of the home, officers discovered a black bag containing two sets of security uniforms as well as a two-way hand radio.
“Officers contacted the security company, to whom the uniforms belong and were told that it along with the firearm was stolen from four security officials on June 30 and July 19,” said Thepa.
“EMPD members were told that internal investigations were underway but that the suspects in the two separate incidents were still at large.
“Upon his arrest, following brief questioning, the suspect taunted officers saying that he is well-connected and would not be in jail for long.”
The tavern owner was detained at the Daveyton Police Station and was charged with possession of a stolen security uniform, unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
He will be appearing in the Daveyton Magistrate’s Court soon.
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