Police confirm Limpopo road-spiking gang linked to N4 armed robberies
The suspects targeted motorists along the N1 and R101 roads between Pretoria and Polokwane. They were arrested along the N1 south near Ysterberg on Monday (September 6).
POLOKWANE – Provincial police on Wednesday evening confirmed that two more people were arrested in connection with the recent spate of road-spike robbery incidents in Limpopo.
The two suspects were arrested in Mabopane outside Pretoria on Tuesday (September 7). According to police spokesperson Brig Motlafela Mojapelo one of the suspects is a volunteer at the victim support centre at Rietgat Police Station, while the other is an undocumented foreign national.
Read more: Limpopo road-spiking gang: Two more arrested in Gauteng
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.
The men were arrested earlier this week during a joint operation conducted by the Mokopane Crime Prevention Unit, aided by the Modimolle K9 and Mokopane Crime Intelligence units, various detectives and members of the private sector.
Read more: Members of N1 and R101 road-spiking gang nabbed
It is alleged a group of four men were spotted along the N1 south between Ysterberg and the Sebetiela toll plaza. The teams were activated and two of the four men were arrested and a 9mm pistol and ammunition as well as welded spikes were confiscated. Two men are still at large.
Police spokesperson Brig Motlafela Mojapelo earlier said that 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.
Earlier this morning (September 8) Mojapelo told Review that further investigations linked the duo to road-spike robbery incidents committed in Gauteng, in particular along the N4 highway.
The targeted areas included the N4 highway from Rustenburg to Pretoria, the N4 highway from Pretoria to Bronkhorstspruit, as well as the N1 near Stormvoël and Caraousel.
Read more: Road spiking cases show a decline in Pretoria East
The suspects face charges related to robbery with aggravating circumstances, attempted murder, rape, the possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition, possession of a police uniform, possession of suspected stolen goods and the contravention of the immigration act.
They will appear in the Mokopane Magistrate’s Court soon.
Anyone with information that can lead to the arrest of the remaining suspects should contact Lt Col Richard Boshomane on 079 894 5501 or Sgt Phaladi Makola on 082 749 2233. Alternately, they can contact the 24-hour Crime Stop number on 086 001 0111 or their nearest police station.
More arrests are expected as police investigations continue.
