Police arrest 3, seize illegal firearms and vehicle in cross-province sting

Three suspects were arrested, two illegal firearms recovered and a vehicle used in multiple robberies seized following a sting operation on June 3.

Imran Ghafoor of Newcastle Crime Fighter’s Task Team (CCPA) said members of Ithemba Security’s Tracing Team received a tip-off, informing them of an Opel Corsa bakkie making its way to Newcastle that had been used in a string of armed robberies.

“Observations were kept on the N11 where the suspect’s vehicle was spotted and followed,” confirmed Ghafoor.

SAPS Crime Prevention units, Amajuba District Crimefighters (CCPA), and local traffic officers joined forces during the operation that led to the successful interception of the vehicle.

Upon further inspection by VCIU Newcastle, two unlicensed firearms were found hidden in the engine compartment.

One of the firearms was positively linked to an armed robbery case in Daveton in the Gauteng province.

Further information led the team to link the suspects and their vehicle to an armed robbery case in the Nqutu area, where a Mazda vehicle, a firearm and cash were robbed from the victim.

Investigations continue, with additional stolen vehicles and firearms that are being traced that had been taken by the suspects in their spree of armed robberies committed across the Gauteng and KZN provinces.

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