Members of N1 and R101 road-spiking gang nabbed
The suspects were arrested along the N1 south near Ysterberg during a joint police operation.
POLOKWANE – The two suspects who were arrested in connection with the recent spate of road-spike robbery incidents in Limpopo, have been linked to armed robberies committed in Gauteng.
Read more: Police confirm Limpopo road-spiking gang linked to N4 armed robberies
POLOKWANE – The police have caught two men believed to be part of a gang responsible for the recent spate of road-spike robbery incidents along the N1 and R101 roads.
The said criminals targeted motorists along the N1 and R101 roads between Pretoria and Polokwane.
“They place sharp objects on the road, resulting in the victims experiencing punctures and being forced to stop to change their tyres. They then attack the victims and rob them of their belongings at gun point,” police spokesperson Brig Motlafela Mojapelo explained in an earlier statement.
Several road-spike robbery incidents have been reported along these roads and on Monday (September 6) members of the Mokopane Crime Prevention Unit, aided by the Modimolle K9 and Mokopane Crime Intelligence units, various detectives and members of the private sector tracked down the suspects and arrested them.
The suspects were arrested near Ysterberg along the N1 and according to Mojapelo the police found spikes, a firearm and ammunition as well as a pair of pliers in their possession.
“One of the arrested suspects is employed as a security guard at a security company in the Waterberg area. The second suspect is an undocumented foreign national.”
According to a Facebook post by the Heritage Protection group the arrested suspects were part of a group of four men, of which two are still on the run.
“For the past month, every weekend from Friday night to Sunday night, the gang has been putting welded spikes in the road,” their post reads.
The suspects faces charges related to armed robbery and will appear in court soon. Police investigations continue.
The provincial police commissioner, Lt Genl Thembi Hadebe, earlier ordered the police to intensify patrols along the routes.
She also urged the public to assist by reporting any suspicious movement along the road.
Anyone with information that can lead to their arrest should contact Lt Col Richard Boshomane on 079 894 5501 or Sgt Phaladi Makola on 082 749 2233. Alternately, they can also contact the 24-hour Crime Stop number on 086 001 0111 or their nearest police station.
