LIMPOPO – Four men, including a former member of the Tactical Response Team (TRT) have been arrested for allegedly plotting to commit armed robberies in the Lebowakgomo policing area. On Friday, 14 May the police received information about and armed gang who were planning to rob businesses in the Ga-Chuene area.
A joint operation conducted by the Provincial Tracking team along with the Airwing unit was operationalised and the suspects were cornered and apprehended after a car chase, said Police Spokesperson, Brig Motlafela Mojapelo. He added that during the arrest the members discovered two illegal firearms and a police cap. ‘The suspect’s vehicle was presumed to be stolen and was seized.”
The suspects will be profiled to determine if they were previously involved in other crimes.
Mojapelo said the same team again responded to information about a sedan which was stolen during a hijacking incident in Lebowakgomo. “The said vehicle was spotted near Thogwaneng but when the police accosted the suspect, he sped off in the direction of Ga-Chuene village. A high speed car chase ensued until the suspect abandoned the vehicle, fled on foot and jumped into the Chuniespoort Dam.”
The suspects was initially presumed drowned and police divers were summoned to the scene to recover the body. “After two hours pf searching the areas the members found the muddied suspect hiding in the reeds.”
The 31-year-old man was arrested on the spot. Mojapleo added he has been linked to several cases of business robberies, car-hijacking and attempted murder which were committed in the Polokwane, Mankweng, Matlala, Seshego and Lebowakgomo areas, respectively.
These joint operations have this week led to the arrest of of over 1 326 suspects for crimes ranging from conspiracy to commit armed robbery, carjacking, murder, attempted murder, robberies, rape, sexual assault, assault GBH, robbery with a weapon other than firearm, various sexual offences, burglary business, burglary residential, stock theft, theft of motor vehicle, arson, malicious damage to property, shop lifting, theft, drug related crimes, driving under the influence of alcohol, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, contravention of the Immigration Act, public drinking and dealing in liquor.
“During the operations the police recovered seven stolen motor vehicles, 20 dangerous weapons, 16 firearms, 22 knives and various illegal substances.”
Some of the suspects have made their first court appearances while the rest will appear before the relevant magistrate’s court soon, Mojapelo said.
Provincial Police Commissioner, Lt Genl Thembi Monica Hadebe commended the various police units for their ‘sterling work’ and thanked the public for their continued support in the fight against crime in the province.
