Police on Tuesday pounced on three men believed to be involved in a series of ‘blue-light robberies’ in Boksburg and surrounding towns. They are expected to appear in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court today.

According to police spokesperson Captain Neldah Sekgobela, the Boksburg North crime prevention team was patrolling the known ‘trio crime’ hotspots within the Rondebult industrial site, when they spotted a white VW Polo with three occupants on Turf Road at about 16:00.

To evade arrest upon noticing the approaching police, the suspects reportedly started driving away, but the officers caught up with them when their car rammed a roadside embankment. They were found to be in possession of Gauteng traffic police uniform, including reflector jackets, caps, boots and a firearm holster.

Their car had a fake number plate pasted on the original plate using double-sided tape.

The men were detained at the Boksburg North Police Station.

The trio faces a charge related to possession of police uniforms, and more charges could be added following further investigation.

Ekurhuleni SAPS district commissioner Major General Sithole commended the members for their vigilance in fighting criminality in the district.

Mastermind

These arrests follows two weeks after police pounced on the man believed to be a mastermind behind the blue-light robberies in the area.

He was arrested at his home in Dawn Park, where he was found to be in possession of police equipment and unlicensed firearms, as well as a VW Polo that was reportedly hijacked in the North West in February.

The discovered items included multiple blue lights, a rifle, a pistol, scores of ammunition, police uniform and insignia that belong to Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Madibeng traffic police, as well as false government vehicle registration plates.

He was charged with possession of unlicensed firearms, possession of hijacked motor vehicle, and possession of ammunition, among other charges.

Boksburg police recently issued a warning about criminals hijacking and robbing motorists after posing as police officers.

The Reiger Park police have recently issued a warning about a spike in motor vehicle theft in the township, where the perpetrators are targeting Volkswagen vehicles.