Reacting to a tip-off, the Germiston Flying Squad arrested four men who were allegedly in the process of disassembling a stolen Mercedes.

Communications officer of the flying squad Sergeant Ntombikayise Ngcobo says the arrests were made on Sunday and the men face a charge of possession of stolen motor vehicle parts.

The suspects were arrested in Steenbok Avenue in Leondale, Ekurhuleni, Gauteng.

Ngcobo says officers received information that a motor vehicle was being stripped at the address and proceeded to the property.

“When they arrived, police found four men stripping a white car. As they were about to enter the premises, three men fled the scene on foot,” says Ngcobo.

One remained behind at the property, she adds.

Ngcobo explains that the men climbed over the property’s wall and crossed the street in an attempt to enter nearby reeds and vegetation.

“While the three were entering the reeds, the officers apprehended them,” says Ngcobo.

She adds that investigations determined that the white Mercedes-Benz was stolen in Olievenhoutbosch.

“It is alleged that the owner of the white Mercedes-Benz organised for the car to be stripped,” says Ngcobo.

The men were allegedly hired by the owner and were to be paid R1 200 after finishing the job. However, officers arrived before the job’s completion.

They will appear in the relevant magistrate’s court soon.

Lieutenant Colonel Madimetja Kgole, the Germiston Flying Squad’s unit commander, thanked the members for their work.

He gave a stern warning to criminals, stating that the police would have a zero-tolerance approach in the fight against crime to ensure the safety of South African citizens.

He also thanked the community for working with the police.