Joint operation cuffs three armed Rolex Gang suspects in Fourways
DOUGLASDALE – MMC of Public Safety Michael Sun said it was discovered that the suspects had previously been convicted of armed robberies and served long sentences.
According to a Facebook post by MMC for Public Safety, Michael Sun, the Johannesburg Metro Police Department’s (JMPD) K9 Unit arrested three suspects thought to be part of the ‘Rolex Gang‘ in Fourways yesterday (11 August) during a joint operation with the Hawks, police, Metro police’s K9 Unit, Bad Boyz Security and Tracker.
Metro police spokesperson, Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said that this was a sting operation carried out by the Hawks which led to the arrest of the three armed suspects.
Chief of JMPD, David Tembe said on 9 August, information was received about a group of suspects involved in Rolex robberies. Information was that victims were followed from shopping malls around Gauteng and then they were blocked and robbed of high-value watches and jewellery. Members involved in the joint operation were able to identify the group of suspects and they began surveilling them.
“On the 11th of August, members were activated after information was received that the group of suspects is going to commit robberies in the Johannesburg area,” said David Tembe.
Tembe said the suspects were identified in Sandton, scouting at shopping malls for victims to rob. A Golf 6 GTI was affixed with false registration plates. The suspects then left and headed to Fourways.
He added that the suspects continued to scout for a victim in Pineslopes. “Shortly afterwards, the suspects seemed to have spotted a victim whom they can rob. Both vehicles left the shopping mall and closely followed a possible victim who was driving [in the] direction [of] William Nicol Drive.”
Tembe said the team managed to stop both vehicles and contain all the occupants. Two suspects were apprehended inside the red VW 6 GTi and one suspect in a maroon Renault Sandero.
An operational plan was executed by the members with the assistance of the Pretoria SAPS Airwing Chopper.
Sun also said that illegal firearms and ammunition, gloves, false registration plates and the two vehicles were seized in the operation. It was discovered that the suspects had previously been convicted of armed robberies and served long sentences.
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