Car guard assists in the arrest of three men in Pretoria shopping complex

Three men aged between 27 and 44 are facing several charges after being arrested by police at a local shopping complex in the Moot this week.

The men face charges of possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition and reckless and negligent driving.

They were spotted by a car guard at the shopping complex when they were removing the number plates from the vehicle they were travelling in.

“Finding this strange, he phoned the police informing them about the suspicious behaviour,” said Moot police spokesperson Captain Anton Breedt.

“With the information in hand police reacted swiftly and found the three men with the vehicle in the parking area.”

Breedt said during the search of the passengers, the driver of the vehicle managed to get inside it and sped off into oncoming traffic in Frederika Street.

“Police chased after the vehicle and after several kilometres, managed to force the vehicle off the road and so prevented other motorists from being placed in danger or causing any more accidents.

“The two other suspects were also apprehended after the police chased the driver with the assistance of local security and community members.”

Breedt said police recovered a firearm (serial number removed) and ammunition and two sets of gloves hidden in a bag, and a set of false number plates were also confiscated.

The suspects will appear in the Pretoria magistrate’s court soon.

Station commander for Moot police Colonel Hlengeni Giben Mashaba applauded everyone that assisted in apprehending all the suspects and recovering and removing illegal firearms from the streets.

“We want to encourage the community to continue reporting suspicious vehicles or people to police by phoning 08600-10111 or SMS to 33221.”