Informant leads police to arrest six suspects

After numerous armed robberies in Muldersdrift late last year, Drift Reaction recently deployed their Criminal Intervention Squad to collect information about possible suspects involved in the cases.

The squad followed up on every lead they could possibly find and in December 2016, uncovered the identities of four of the suspected armed robbers. The squad tested the DNA they found on the scenes of numerous crimes and found that it matched that of the suspects.

Furthermore, it was discovered that the four suspects moved between squatter camps and the squad had to deploy an informant to follow them. The informant was tasked with reporting back to the squad with usable information. He allegedly discovered that the suspects were illegal Zimbabwean immigrants.

Unfortunately, two of the four suspects went back to Zimbabwe during the investigation and the team had to make a difficult decision – arrest the remaining two suspects, or wait for the others to return and arrest them all together. The squad decided to wait for the return of the suspects.

On Tuesday, 17 January at about 11pm, the squad received word that the suspects had returned from Zimbabwe. The team had to move quickly and decided to contact VISPOL (Visible Policing) Muldersdrift Police members to assist in the arrest of the suspects. The team moved in on the first address and arrested two suspects – one who had been arrested previously during 2016, and a second who was living with the first.

The squad discovered various cellphones which they suspected had been stolen. The suspects then said they knew the whereabouts of the remaining suspects and would lead the squad and police members to them – not knowing that the squad already knew where they were.

The suspects led the team to an RDP house in Cosmo City. There was an extra room in the backyard of the RDP house. The squad discovered a third suspect there and arrested him. He had false South African and Zimbabwean identity documents and passports for both countries. He also had false PSIRA registration documents. He was allegedly employed by a security company in Pretoria and was posted at a townhouse complex.

It is alleged this complex had a problem with armed robberies and also that the suspect was involved in these robberies. It is further alleged that while the suspect was posted at the townhouse complex, a supervisor left his .38 special revolver in the bathroom and when he returned to look for it, found it had been stolen.

After arresting this suspect, the Iron Fist Squad K9 unit joined the squad. The dog was used to assist in searching the informal settlement. While the squad was searching the property where the third suspect was arrested, it was found that a female suspect was also carrying false identification documents, so they arrested her as well.

During the investigation, the squad asked the suspects where the bicycle and generator they had stolen in Nooitgedacht a week previously was. One of the suspects said he would show them where it was, and led the squad to a shop in the Video squatter camp. The squad entered the premises and found a Pakistani national. They questioned the Pakistani who claimed he only wanted to test the generator and would pay R4 000 for it if it was in good working condition. He admitted he was going to buy stolen property from the suspects, and was also arrested.

The stolen goods have already been identified and claimed by the owner of the premises in Nooitgedacht. Further investigation into the suspects may link them to other incidents. They allegedly admitted to many other incidents. It is believed the suspects were also involved in various armed robberies, but no firearms were found in their possession.

Drift Reaction Personnel thanked Jarques Treptow, CEO of Drift Reaction for never hesitating to pay the informants, and thanked the Criminal Intervention Squad for working long hours to track and arrest the suspects.

To read the initial story visit Drift Reaction’s Facebook page

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