Members of the Johannesburg Flying Squad made a series of arrests and recoveries during intensive patrols across Midrand and Johannesburg between January 16 and 18, apprehending five suspects and recovering three vehicles linked to property-related crimes.

According to Johannesburg Flying Squad communications officer SPO Raymond Sambo, the first arrest took place on January 16 at about 14:00 after police received a lookout for a bronze Kia Rio suspected to have been used in a housebreaking in Centurion. The vehicle was later spotted in Waterfall, Midrand, with one occupant and was cornered by the police.

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“The vehicle was searched, and a plasma TV and housebreaking implements were recovered,” said Sambo. The suspect was arrested on charges of possession of a stolen motor vehicle, possession of suspected stolen property, and possession of housebreaking implements. He was detained at Midrand Police Station, while the vehicle was booked into the police pound for safekeeping and further investigation.

In a separate incident on January 17 at around 13:20, Flying Squad members responded to a complaint of cable theft in progress in Waterfall. Upon arrival at the scene, two suspects were arrested for tampering with essential infrastructure, malicious property damage, and contravening the Immigration Act 13 of 2002. A grinder and a battery believed to have been used in the commission of the crime were seized and booked at Midrand Police Station as exhibits.

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Further success followed in the early hours of January 18 at approximately 04:30, when members acted on information about suspected stolen property at an address in Observatory, near Yeoville. Police searched the premises with permission and found two men in possession of a large quantity of suspected stolen goods.

During the search, officers recovered 23 plasma televisions, 21 laptops, 27 computer monitors, and three solar batteries. “The suspects could not provide proof of ownership of the items and were subsequently arrested for possession of suspected stolen property,” said Sambo.

Two vehicles, a white VW Polo and a white Opel Astra, allegedly used in the commission of crimes, were also seized and booked into the police pound for further investigation. The suspects were detained at Yeoville Police Station.

The five suspects, aged between 22 and 38, are expected to appear in various magistrates’ courts in the coming days.

Police have urged members of the public with information related to these cases or other criminal activities to contact their nearest police station or call Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

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