Police bust suspected chop shop in Naas
Police managed to close down what they suspect was a chop shop in Naas last Monday and caught a gang believed to be behind the recent string of robberies last Tuesday morning.
NAAS – According to Capt Magonseni Nkosi, police were following up on a tip-off regarding a vehicle that was stolen last month and it led them to the premises they believe was being used as a chop shop.
Police officers identified people at the premises as being suspects in the theft and found more than a bakkie load of parts that had been stripped from vehicles.
The parts were seized and suspects arrested.
Locations such as these are thought to be used to tamper with stolen vehicles to get them safely across the border or dismantle them to sell as parts.
READ: Soldiers waging a war with criminals on the Mozambican border
On Tuesday morning, Tonga police and members of the SANDF teamed up to bust a group of suspects in several robbery cases.
They found nine suspects in Block C and Mangweni, in possession of four firearms, live ammunition and a toy gun.
They also found a vehicle, which they suspect was used as a getaway car and a cellphone that was stolen in Mgobodi.
According to preliminary investigation indicates, one firearm was reported stolen in Pretoria Central, the second firearm belonged a deceased person, another’s serial number was filed off and one is a homemade pump gun.
READ: Residents urged to be vigilant due to theft and burglary increase
Nkosi mentioned that the community in Mzinti started with patrols to assist police.
He said that police appreciate the community’s assistance, but warned them not to take the law into their own hands. Cases of assault were opened and two persons arrested after people suspected of committing crimes were attacked by patrollers.
In Marloth Park, several burglaries were reported over the past two weeks, with valuables such as televisions and phones stolen.
Property owners were urged to ensure their valuables are safely locked away. Residents with alarm systems should set it when they go to sleep at night or are away from home.
Visitors and owners are urged to be vigilant when they sit outside their homes and not to leave valuables unattended.
READ: Turn your smartphone into a security camera
On Saturday night a group of Malalane residents were sitting outside when they heard sounds in the bush.
They went to investigate, thinking it was an animal but could not spot everything.
When they headed inside the house and came back a little while later, a phone that was lying on the table had been stolen.
The group spotted a man with a torch and when they asked what he was doing he fled. They then realised that the noise they heard was him and that he had been watching them from the bushes for some time.
The case was reported to the police.
