Facebook Marketplace gang arrested in Pretoria after shoot-out
Police discovered two members of the public that were being held hostage and were tied up in the house.
An armed gang that had been robbing unsuspecting victims on Facebook Marketplace was arrested on Monday after a shootout with police officers in the east of Pretoria.
“On Monday at around 16:30 officers at the Lyttelton police, Brooklyn police and the Flying Squad received information regarding the whereabouts of the gang,” said Lyttelton police station spokesperson Captain Dave Miller.
“A tactical plan was formalised and executed. When the members entered the property and announced themselves, one of the suspects pointed a firearm at the officers.
“There was a brief exchange of gunfire, and all the suspects were contained.”
Miller said police discovered two members of the public that were being held hostage and were tied up in the house.
Police recovered an unlicenced firearm with three magazines full of ammunition, two knives and stolen property, Miller said.
“Fortunately, none of the victims or the police members were injured during the operation.”
Miller said the suspects’ modus operandi was that they lure unsuspecting people from the marketplace platform by taking interest in purchasing items that have been advertised.
“The suspects would rent a property on Air BnB and stage it as a family home, complete with children’s clothing and toys”.
Miller said police dubbed them “the Zoey robbery gang” because that is the name used by the female when she introduced herself to victims.
“When the victims arrive and enter the property, they are met by a female who takes them inside, only to be met by her two armed male accomplices and then they get robbed.”
Miller said police members are currently aware of at least six cases the gang can be linked to, “and will most certainly be adding quite a few more”.
The suspects, one woman and two men, will appear in court within 48hrs.
They will face charges of kidnapping, armed robbery, possession of unlicenced firearm and ammunition, possession of dangerous weapons, possession of suspected stolen property and pointing of a firearm.
“The management of the SAPS would like to thank the members who were involved and who took the initiative. They put their lives in harm’s way to ensure the community will no longer be terrorised by this group.”
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