Benoni Flying Squad (BFS) members were again one step ahead of criminals, bringing six suspects to book between September 4 and 7.
Arrest
While conducting routine patrols in Morehill on September 4, BFS members ran passing vehicles’ registration numbers through the system to identify wanted criminals.
“While running the details of a white Isuzu bakkie, the system indicated the vehicle was used in the commission of a crime in Middelburg last month,” said Warrant Officer Grant Giblin, the spokesperson for the unit.
“Officers immediately jumped into action, bringing the vehicle to a stop. The occupants, two men aged 26 and 32, acknowledged the Middelburg case and were arrested on the scene.”
They were detained at the Benoni Police Station pending their transfer to Mpumalanga.
Possession of illicit substances
Two men, aged 24 and 26, were arrested on Harpur Avenue when a search of their white Volkswagen Polo uncovered 21 pain medication bottles.
According to Giblin, the suspects could not produce valid documentation or proof of purchase, so the members arrested them.
Hijacking
The BFS traced an alleged hijacker to Thembisa Hospital after he sustained a gunshot wound in a botched hijacking in Birch Acres at 20:30 on September 5.
“Officers responded to a call that shots had been fired in Ebony Street,” said Giblin.
“Upon arrival, the victim of the attempted hijacking claimed he had shot one of the assailants in the leg. He alleged that the fiend’s accomplices loaded him into their getaway vehicle before fleeing the scene.”
A 36-year-old man matching the suspect’s description was found at the hospital receiving treatment for a gunshot wound.
“The suspect was positively identified and arrested. He will remain under police guard pending his discharge,” he said.
Housebreaking
A member of the public stopped patrolling members in Brakpan on September 7, claiming he knew of the whereabouts of an alleged housebreaking suspect.
“The resident claimed the suspect had broken into his home last month and was currently on Nordeen Avenue,” said Giblin.
“The 54-year-old suspect was positively identified and arrested.”
Abandoned vehicles
A silver Volkswagen Polo found in Ivory Park Ext 7 was reported hijacked in Thembisa.
A white Toyota Hilux was recovered in Clayville Ext 27, Olifantsfontein. It was reported stolen in Boksburg North.
Rapid Response Services (RRS) round-up
Combined operations by provincial units, including the Flying Squad, K9 Units and Highway Patrol, led to the arrest of 81 suspects in Gauteng between September 1 and 7.
“Officers arrested 35 suspects on charges of assault with the intent of causing grievous bodily harm, illegal possession of a protected species, attempted murder, fraud, possession of suspected stolen property, pointing of firearm, theft, attempted hijacking, damage or destruction of essential infrastructure and housebreaking,” said Giblin.
“Ten were arrested for being in possession of stolen vehicles, and 45 vehicles were recovered.”
The officers on the ground recovered five unlicensed firearms accompanied by eight arrests.
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