Police net swarm of criminals in Pretoria East operation
The team continued their zero tolerance on crime campaign in Tshwane with multidisciplinary crime combating reaction teams.
Police in the east of Pretoria arrested 504 suspects as part of Operation Shanela on July 13.
The suspects were arrested for crimes ranging from vehicle theft, possession of unlicensed firearms, assault, housebreaking, public drinking, and armed robbery.
The police executed the operation with the help of other stakeholders including the Department of Home Affairs, Department of Labour, Gauteng Traffic Department, Tshwane Metro Police Department, Community Policing Forums, Crime Prevention Wardens, and elected councillors.
According to police spokesperson Warrant Officer Johan Van Dyk, the operation included high-visibility patrols in crime hotspots, compliance inspections, and raids on illicit liquor outlets.
Van Dyk said the activities included patrols in high-crime areas, compliance inspections, and crackdowns on illegal alcohol sales.
“By the end of the weekend, 224 individuals were arrested for offences such as assault, housebreaking, public drinking, driving under the influence, and armed robbery, as part of routine police actions across Tshwane,” he said.
The police also conducted operations in the Brooklyn and Silverton policing areas where 241 suspects were nabbed.
“One suspect was nabbed for murder, 11 for assault, six for rape, and 75 for gender-based violence,” said Van Dyk.
The three groups of uniformed officers and a roadblock group inspected seven liquor outlets.
The team found four of the liquor outlets to be non-compliant with the Liquor Act.
“A total of 236 000ml of liquor was confiscated and will be destroyed upon finalisation of the criminal cases,” said Van Dyk.
Van Dyk said 47 undocumented foreigners were detained and will undergo deportation once the legal processes have been finalised.
“Three suspects were also arrested for possession of drugs when the police found eight zip-lock bags and two mandrax tablets were found in their possession.”
The police also inspected 485 vehicles and 822 people, with eight vehicles examined to ensure that they were not stolen. 69 Aarto infringement notices were also issued.
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