6 nabbed east of Pretoria following Benoni robbery
The Boschkop Community Security Forum and the Community Policing Forum apprehended numerous suspects who were inside a vehicle that was allegedly used during an armed robbery.
Six suspects were arrested on Wednesday in Boschkop, in the east of Pretoria, when they were caught in a vehicle reportedly used in the commission of a robbery in Benoni in Ekurhuleni.
The police also recovered five unlicensed firearms.
According to police spokesperson Warrant Officer Johan van Dyk, the suspects were arrested with the assistance of the Boschkop community.
Van Dyk says information was received about a white Toyota involved in an armed robbery in Benoni that was spotted passing through the Boschkop policing area.
“The Boschkop Community Security Forum and Community Policing Forum swiftly mobilised, alerting members to assemble a standby operational team,” says Van Dyk.
He says the vehicle was spotted, and a team was activated to intercept it.
“Despite orders to stop, the suspects attempted to flee. The team tactically blocked the vehicle, forcing it to stop as the Boschkop police arrived on the scene.”
Van Dyk says that when searching the vehicle and the suspects, police discovered four unlicensed firearms, with serial numbers filed off, a replica firearm and suspected stolen property.
“The suspects were arrested and are facing charges of possession of unlicensed firearms, possession of suspected stolen property, and armed robbery.”
He says the firearms will undergo ballistic testing to determine if they were used in other crimes.
Major-General Samuel Thine, district commissioner of Tshwane, expressed his gratitude to all stakeholders for their unwavering commitment to securing the arrests.
He emphasised the importance of community involvement in SAPS efforts to combat crime.
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