Berea Task Team takes down more criminals

BEREA police’s newly formed Task Team has notched up a number of arrests this week.

Ex-car guard arrested for assault

According to Lieutenant PN Naidoo, Communications Officer at Berea SAPS, the team responded to a complaint of a UIP guard being assaulted with a brick in Eighth Avenue, Morningside last Tuesday. Members of the team established that a guard working in the Florida Road area was assaulted with a brick and sustained injuries to his hand and the suspect was still in the vicinity. “The suspect was an ex-illegal car guard who was upset that he could no longer work in the area. The victim pointed out the suspect and the members arrested him, they searched him and also found dagga in his pocket,” said Naidoo.

The 30-year-old suspect was arrested for assault GBH and possession of dagga and detained at SAPS Berea.

Fraudsters arrested

Captain Kevin Stephen and his team received information about a fraud in the Musgrave area later on Tuesday. The task team held an operation and two suspects, a 24-year-old man and 26-year-old woman, employees of the company, were arrested in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

“The company has a licence to buy gold from the general public and the employees were buying the gold at a certain price but entering a higher price in the register thus taking the money for themselves. The owner contacted some clients and they confirmed that they were paid a lower amount than what was written in the register,” added Naidoo.

Stolen vehicle recovered

A car was recovered by the Berea Task Team and Crime Prevention Unit on Friday morning.

According to Lt Naidoo, Captain Kevin Steven received a complaint from a man that his car, a white Hyundai was stolen from Marriot Road, Greyville.

“Captain Stephen requested assistance from the crime prevention team and together they responded to this complaint. The vehicle was recovered 100 metres from where it was taken,” he said. No arrests have been made, and the vehicle was handed back to the owner.

Foreigner arrested for stolen goods

A foreigner was arrested for buying stolen property on Friday afternoon.

The Berea Task Team received information about the foreigner in Queen Street buying stolen property and went to investigate. “A laptop and cellphone, which was reported stolen, on a Berea case was recovered and the 30-year-old suspect was arrested. Further investigations will be done to arrest other suspects who were selling the items.

Man arrested for possession of gas firearm

An off duty policeman was in the Ritson and Mansfield Road area when a 25-year-old man offered to sell him a firearm. After a meeting was setup the Berea Task Team was contacted and the man was arrested in possession of the gas firearm.

Youth arrested during DUT strike

A 23-year-old man was arrested and detained at Berea SAPS for damaging property on DUT campus whilst the students were protesting. The man was seen by DUT security and pointed out to police.