Trio Task Team always get their man
A man wanted by police for a string of offences was apprehended by Brakpan’s top cops last week.
The suspect was shot in the leg following a chase on foot in the veld near Station and New Kleinfontein roads.
He was sought on charges of hijacking, motor vehicle theft, business burglary and more.
Capt Pearl van Staad, spokesperson for the Brakpan SAPS, told the Herald the Trio Task Team (formerly the Anti-Hijacking Task Team) was patrolling in the area on Thursday last week when they spotted the suspect at around 1pm.
“They approached the suspect, but he fled into the bush,” she said, adding that the team gave chase and WO Jan Roos pursued the suspect on foot.
As Roos approached a concrete pillar wall near the railway line, he caught a glimpse of the suspect lying in a tangle of long grass and bushes.
“The suspect pointed a firearm at Roos who fired one shot at the suspect,” said van Staad.
The injured suspect was transported to the Far East Rand Hospital under police guard.
He will remain in hospital until he is medically fit to attend court proceedings.
Also read: Car thief nabbed by task team
Further cases were opened against the suspect, including pointing of a firearm, and his girlfriend found herself in handcuffs for defeating the ends of justice.
Police later established that the firearm in the man’s possession was a toy replica.
These arrests were only two of several carried out by the team last week.
On Monday, two men aged 26 and 29, were nabbed for receiving stolen goods and motor vehicle theft, and a 55-year-old Larrendale man was arrested for possession of a stolen car.
The older suspect has 23 outstanding cases against him and is sought by Interpol, the reason for which was not disclosed to the Herald.
On Tuesday, a 26-year-old man wanted on four charges of housebreaking and one of hijacking was arrested in Loerie Park, Anzac.
His girlfriend and brother were arrested for lying to police about the man’s whereabouts and each faces a charge of defeating the ends of justice.
On Wednesday, the team apprehended a 23-year-old man for common robbery.
In addition to the arrest tally, last week also saw the team recover two stolen cars and a stolen motorbike.
The team has warned residents not to receive or buy stolen goods and urged the community not to harbour criminals.
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