The Benoni Flying Squad (BFS) arrested 15 suspects and recovered three unlicensed firearms during a three-day crime blitz from June 9 to 11.
Hijacked and stolen vehicles
• On June 9, BFS members responded to a call from a private security company about a hijacked white Volkswagen Polo travelling on Pretoria Road past Crystal Park.
The vehicle was traced to Petit, where three men aged between 32 and 39 were arrested. It was confirmed that the vehicle had been reported hijacked in Vosloorus.
• An off-duty BFS officer, with assistance from a local private security company, arrested a 39-year-old man in connection with vehicle thefts in Springs.
On June 10, while driving home on South Main Reef Road, the officer received a lookout for a green Opel Astra allegedly involved in an attempted theft at the Far East Rand Hospital.
The vehicle was spotted and stopped tactically. Further investigation revealed that it had been reported stolen in Springs.
Possession of drugs
• At 21:00 on June 10, two men were arrested on the R555 in Etwatwa for possession of drugs with intent to sell.
A large black bag of dagga, with an estimated value of R15 000, was found in the back of their Toyota Hilux.
• On June 11, a 40-year-old man was arrested in Birchleigh North, Kempton Park, after being found in possession of 300 packets of dagga valued at R3 000.
Possession of explosives
Two men were arrested on Main Reef Road in Rynsoord on June 11 after being found in possession of detonation cords and film-wrapped explosives.
The SAPS Bomb Squad was dispatched to the scene to safely contain the materials.
Business robbery
On June 11, BFS members, private security personnel, and the EMPD arrested six suspects and recovered three unlicensed firearms at a factory in Glen Marais, Kempton Park.
An undisclosed amount of money stolen from the company’s safe, along with employees’ mobile phones and jewellery, was recovered.
Contravention of the Immigration Act
A 56-year-old individual was arrested in Brakpan for entering the country illegally.
Recovery of an unlicensed firearm
On June 6, an unlicensed 9mm Astra pistol, reported stolen in Brakpan in April, was recovered in Van Dyk Park, Boksburg.
The firearm, loaded with 17 live rounds, was recovered by an off-duty BFS officer and an EMPD member.
A suspect was arrested for possession of the weapon.
SAPS Rapid Response Services (RRS)
From June 6 to 12, SAPS Rapid Response Services, including the Flying Squad, K9 Units, and Highway Patrol, arrested 120 suspects across Gauteng.
The operation resulted in:
• 28 arrests for offences including assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, possession of suspected stolen property, unlawful possession of explosives, kidnapping, malicious damage to property, reckless and negligent driving, contravention of the Immigration Act, fraud, attempted armed robbery, housebreaking, house robbery, pointing of a firearm, and theft.
• Recovery of 21 hijacked or stolen vehicles, with eight arrests made for possession of these vehicles.
• Two suspects arrested for possession of unlicensed firearms, and four firearms seized.
• 44 suspects arrested for drug possession with intent to sell.
• Drugs recovered included heroin, dagga, cocaine, Mandrax, and methamphetamine.
Information supplied by BFS and RRS spokesperson, Warrant Officer Grant Giblin.
ALSO READ: Crime in Brief
ALSO READ: Crime in Brief
