Police send strong message to Midrand criminals
A series of targeted patrols by the Johannesburg Flying Squad has disrupted criminal activity across Midrand and Johannesburg, leading to multiple arrests and the recovery of stolen vehicles and property linked to housebreaking and infrastructure theft.
A spate of decisive police operations have sent a strong message to criminals operating in and around Midrand.
Members of the Johannesburg Flying Squad have been swooping in on suspects during intensive patrols between January 16 and 19. The co-ordinated operations resulted in five arrests and the recovery of three vehicles, along with stolen property linked to housebreaking, cable theft, and other serious offences across Midrand and parts of Johannesburg.
According to Johannesburg Flying Squad communications officer 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. “The vehicle was searched, and a plasma TV and housebreaking implements were recovered.”
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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 damage to property, 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.
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.
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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.”
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 magistrate’s 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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