Suspect arrested for unlicensed firearm and ammunition in Ermelo

Members of the Mpumalanga Provincial Highway Patrol and the Provincial Ant-Hijacking team arrested a suspect for possession of an unlicensed firearm in Ermelo on Sunday, June 28.

The police acted on the information they received from a registered source regarding a suspect allegedly in possession of an unlicensed firearm at Extension 6, Thusi Section in Ermelo.

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The team approached the identified address, where they found an adult that was sleeping in the residence. The suspect voluntarily gave consent to the search. During the search they discovered a firearm and an empty magazine concealed inside an electricity meter box located in the bedroom. When he was questioned about it the firearm’s license, he allegedly stated that he purchased it from an unknown person in Ermelo. The suspect was immediately put under arrest.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the firearm is linked to a case reported in Ermelo in February after ballistic testing returned a positive match. The recovered firearm has been seized for further forensic examination and the investigations are ongoing to determine whether they link to other criminal activities.

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The suspect will appear before the Ermelo Magistrate Court soon on a charge of possession of an unlicensed firearm.