400 in custody as police clamp down on Pretoria crime
One suspect’s middle finger was shot off during a shootout between police and robbers in the north.
The Tshwane police continued to pounce on criminals making more than 380 arrests at the weekend.
Numerous operations and roadblocks were conducted at the weekend, said police spokesperson Captain Colette Weilbach.
Operation Shut Down included eight roadblocks where the Tshwane metro police, Gauteng traffic department, road traffic management centre and other law enforcement agencies kept an eye on criminal activities in the capital.
“On the Moloto Road, a suspect was arrested for possession of suspected stolen goods and another for drunk driving while in possession of his licensed firearm,” Weilbach said.
“On the N14 freeway, police found an open bakkie and trailer illegally transporting perishable goods, namely crocodile meat. The meat was confiscated and was taken by the department of health to Onderstepoort [veterinary institute].”
Photo: Supplied
Weilbach said much focus was also on drug-related crimes and several arrests were made in that regard.
“Garsfontein police arrested eight suspects on Friday, and during a Tshwane district operation on the R55 on Sunday, while nine more suspects were arrested for drug-related offences within that area. In the Tshwane West corridor and CBD, 24 suspects were arrested for drugs,” she said.
READ MORE: More crime combating ops expected in Tshwane as 110 arrested
In Lotus Gardens, a man was arrested for the possession of a stolen vehicle following a tip-off from the community.
In Dube, five robbers were arrested on Friday, following a business robbery in Winterveldt.
“The robbers fired shots at the police when they tried to flee in a BMW 320. The police retaliated and managed to arrest them. One suspect’s middle finger was shot off in the process. Two firearms and stolen items were recovered,” Weilbach said.
The 388 arrested suspects were expected to appear in different magistrates’ and community courts soon.
Tshwane police district commissioner Major-General Daniel Mthombeni applauded the dedicated efforts of the police and other law enforcement agencies.
He said criminals were feeling the heat now in Tshwane through these consistent police operations and intensified police visibility. “Criminals should think twice before committing any criminal activities on the streets of Tshwane.”
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