Between December 18 and 20, EMPD Freeway Unit Members on crime prevention operations arrested nine suspects in the Alberton and Katlehong areas and booked them at relevant police stations.
A separate fine was given to a 10th suspect on December 21.
On December 18 a white fleeing Nissan NP200 light delivery vehicle with a male driver disobeying traffic lights in the Brackendowns area was cornered by the Freeway Unit Members with the assistance of CPS Security on the R59/Sybrand Van Niekerk freeway direction north by the Michelle Avenue off-ramp.
A driver is facing charges of reckless and negligent driving, possession of suspected stolen motor vehicle and possession of implements used for house robberies with car theft. The suspect was handcuffed and escorted to Brackendowns Police Station.
While EMPD officers were busy registering a docket at the charge office, a male in his 40s who came to report smash-and-grab theft identified a seized laptop as his.
He alleged that earlier on somebody broke into his parked Ford Ranger and stole a concealed laptop. Assigned SAPS investigating officers are looking into adding damage to property and theft charges.
On December 20 in Katlehong area the highly visible EMPD Freeway Unit Squad staged an anti-drunken driving road block at the corner of Thutong and Sontonga from 4am to 12pm.
Eight male drivers between the ages of 30 and 49 were arrested after failing sobriety tests conducted on site where sealed pipes, calibrated and sanitised breathalyzers were employed. All the apprehended motorists were charged with driving while intoxicated at the Katlehong Police Station.
On December 21 at 6.20am officers patrolling the freeway stopped and searched a suspicious white Toyota Quantum minibus taxi on the N3 freeway direction north by the R24 split.
The cooperative male driver in his 40s, who alleged that since he is on building constructions, said that he was creating jobs by collecting unemployed experienced bricklayers from Kathorus to Edenvale.
A R200 fine was issued for overloading passengers with the minibus containing 25 people instead of 14, including the driver.
He was instructed to organise another minibus to correct the load and received a verbal warning for failing to observe Covid-19 protocols, even though the occupants were all wearing prescribed face masks and windows of the minibus were opened.
All nine the detained suspects are expected to appear at the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court soon.
