Gun stolen in Westville recovered in Umbilo
The suspect was arrested during festive season operations.
UMBILO police arrested a man with an unlicensed firearm, at the weekend, after he was found with his vehicle in the middle of the street.
As part of the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) Festive Season Operations, members were patrolling along Melbourne Road when they noticed a white VW Polo sedan parked in the middle of Melbourne Road opposite Dalton hostel.
Police said the male driver was busy loading items into the boot of the vehicle.
A female got into the car and the man drove off.
“The members followed the vehicle and pulled it off at the intersection of Melbourne and Canada roads. The driver stepped out of the vehicle and approached the members. One of the members searched the man and discovered that he had a firearm in a black holster tucked in the right side of his jeans covered by his T-shirt,” said Colonel Thembeka Mbele, SAPS spokesperson.
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Mbele said when the driver was asked to produce a licence for his gun, he informed the police that he did not have a licence and he carries the firearm for self defence.
He was placed under arrest and transported to Umbilo SAPS for detention.
A firearm inquiry was conducted and it revealed that the firearm was reported stolen in Westville.
The pistol had one magazine with no ammunition in it.
The detainee was also profiled and it was discovered that he had been previously arrested for robbery with firearm in KwaMashu and had a case for drunken driving open against him.
He was charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm.
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