One of five most wanted suspects arrested
The suspect was reportedly linked to a string of criminal acts, including cash-in-transit robberies in the Akasia, Eersterus and Soshanguve area.
A man believed to be linked to a string of criminal acts was arrested in Stinkwater, north of Pretoria, at the weekend.
The man was said to be among the top five most wanted suspects in the Gauteng province.
In a statement, police said the suspect was arrested when Temba police responded to a business robbery in neighbouring Stinkwater.
“A Detective-Constable received information on a business robbery in progress where four suspects with a firearm had robbed a hardware store,” the statement read.
While en route to the scene in an unmarked vehicle, the officer came across the getaway vehicle and a chase ensued.
The vehicle was a metallic blue Toyota Yaris.
ALSO READ: Long-weekend police sweep nets nearly 300 in Tshwane
“Three of the suspects jumped out of the moving vehicle and fled on foot, but the officer corned the driver with assistance from the community.”
Following preliminary investigations at the scene, it was found the man had an arrest warrant issued against him.
It was also established that he was among the top five most wanted suspects in the province.
The warrant was related to three cash-in-transit robberies in Akasia, Soshanguve and Eersterust in 2010 and 2017.
Later it emerged that the vehicle he was driving was stolen in Ga-Rankuwa in August.
Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Elias Mawela commended the police officer’s bravery for pursuing the suspects on his own.
“Though he had called for back-up as per procedure, his instinct and quick action without any care for his own safety, resulted in the arrest of the suspect,” he said.
Mawela also commended the community members who assisted the officer as they managed to remove a dangerous suspect from the streets of Temba and making it a safer place for residents.
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
