Thorough investigation and fingerprint results obtained by a Gauteng investigating team has now revealed that a suspect arrested in November 2022 gave police a false name to try and evade prosecution for about 100 cases of house robberies.

In a statement, police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo says the suspect’s fingerprints came back linking him to one of the most wanted men in the province.

The suspect is now in custody to face the full might of the law.

“In October 2022, following information received, a team consisting of SAPS Gauteng Serious and Violent Crime Investigation Unit, SAPS Johannesburg K9 Unit, SAPS Fairlands, SAPS Crime Intelligence and CAP Security initiated an investigation into a house robbery syndicate operating in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg. Through a joint effort, the team was able to arrest three suspects in November 2022, recovering a firearm and a stolen vehicle.”

During the arrest, a shootout ensued between the police and the suspects which resulted in the prime suspect being critically wounded. He was taken to hospital under police guard. During this time, he provided authorities with a false name and due to his injuries, the process of identification was delayed.

“The results of his fingerprints recently came back from forensic services revealing his true identity and confirming that he is on the police’s most wanted suspects list. He is linked to more than about 100 house robbery cases that were committed in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg over the past eight years.”

The suspect has since been denied bail and remains in custody. He will be charged for a multitude of crimes – mainly house robberies – that occurred throughout Johannesburg.

Gauteng provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Elias Mawela commended the team for the good work and instructed the team to ensure they build a watertight case that will lead to a hefty jail sentence.