One dead, 12 arrested as police foil mall robbery
A shootout with the police led to one suspect being fatally wounded while a firearm was also recovered.
A suspect was killed and 12 arrested following a shootout with police on Friday.
Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Philani Nkwalase said the suspects, aged between 26 and 58 years were reportedly planning to hit a jewellery shop at Mamelodi Crossing mall.
Nkwalase said officers and various partners intercepted the group in Maphalla Street, near the mall.
He said the team called on the various skills of the Tactical Operations Management Section (TOMS) of the Hawks, South African police highway patrol, Gauteng Traffic Police’s Saturation Unit, Tracker Connect, Badboyz Security, Protea Coin chopper, Insurance Crime Bureau (ICB) and Netcare 911 to make the bust.
“Information gathered identified a safe house for the criminals in Chunkie Street in Mamelodi West.
“Four vehicles fitted with false registration plates were spotted at the safe house. They [the suspects] were intercepted near Mamelodi Crossing,” Nkwalase said.
“A total of four vehicles allegedly used in the commission of crime were seized for further investigation and three more firearms were found.
“Signal jamming devices were found in one vehicle and another device was found in the safe house,” he said.
The perpetrators were arrested for various crimes including illegal possession of jamming devices, conspiracy to commit crime, illegal possession of firearm and ammunition.
Also read: Man accused of Mamelodi girlfriend’s murder hands himself over to police after months
The suspects are expected to appear in Mamelodi Magistrate’s Court on Monday, June 27.
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