Suspected N4 spike gang member (23) nabbed after robbery
“The men then fired a gunshot towards the victim and fled the scene. The suspects, who are undocumented Mozambique nationals, fled into the nearby bushes and the victim drove his vehicle to the toll gate where he found Brits Rural Safety Unit.”
A 23-year-old man believed to be a member of the “spike gang” that robbed unsuspecting motorists on the N4 has been arrested.
The man and his accomplice allegedly are part of a group responsible for placing objects with spikes along the N4 to cause tyre punctures to vehicles and force motorists to stop.
They man and his accomplice would then as a result rob the unsuspecting motorists.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Amanda Funani said the man was arrested for armed robbery, attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearm, ammunition and possession of suspected stolen property.
He was expected to appear in the Brits magistrate’s court on April 11.
“The suspect was apprehended on Wednesday night (April 5) after he and his accomplices allegedly robbed a motorist of his personal belongings on the N4 near Brits toll plaza.
“According to allegations, the motorist stopped his vehicle to take his medication which was in the boot. He was opening the boot when he was approached by the two armed males who demanded money.”
Funani said the duo allegedly robbed the victim of an undisclosed amount of cash, two cellphones and clothes.
“The men then fired a gunshot towards the victim and fled the scene. The suspects, who are undocumented Mozambique nationals, fled into the nearby bushes and the victim drove his vehicle to the toll gate where he found Brits rural safety unit.”
Funani said the unit members together with other police responded quickly and went into the bushes and searched for the suspects.
She said police chased the suspects and arrested one.
She said two cellphones, a firearm and ammunition were found in the suspect’s possession.
“The suspects are believed to be part of the gang that has been placing spikes on the N4,” said Funani.
Provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Sello Kwena, applauded Brits police, Brits rural safety unit and all other role players for their swift response that led to the arrest of the suspect.
Since January 2023, police in Akasia vowed to increase patrols along the N4 and R566 (Brits Road) after a couple was robbed by the “spike” gang.
It was the first spiking incident for 2023 reported at the Akasia police station after incidents had occurred in the northern and eastern parts of Pretoria since 2020, where several motorists were subsequently accosted.
Akasia police spokesperson Lindiwe Mabasa said that spike traps along the N4 have been a trend for years now and motorists have fallen victim to metal spikes or nails in planks placed on badly-lit and isolated roads.
A man was robbed and shot by unknown men near Hammanskraal in September 2022 after he was forced to stop on the highway when his tyres were damaged by an object on the road.
“Once the vehicle had stopped, he was approached by an unknown number of suspects who robbed and shot him,” Emer-G-Med said at the time.
A Tshwane metro police officer was robbed of her firearm when her vehicle was spiked in the east of Pretoria.
She was while on her way home after working the night shift, she got a tyre puncture on the R513 road.
“She was approached by two men who robbed her of her firearm, took all her belongings from the vehicle and left.
Further incidents have been reported on the following routes:
– The N4 Mpumalanga to Pretoria between Solomon Mahlangu and Watermeyer offramp
– The N4 Pretoria to Mpumalanga between Bronkhorstspruit and Balmoral offramp
– The N1 Polokwane N4 Mpumalanga interchange in Pretoria
– The N4 to Rustenburg between R80 Mabopane Freeway and Brits plaza tollgate
– The Golden highway
– R21 Freeway from OR Tambo International airport to Pretoria
The Gauteng traffic police advised motorists to do the following when experiencing a flat tyre:
– Never stop your vehicle if you get a puncture; instead, drive slowly to the nearest garage, while contacting the Gauteng traffic police.
– If you are stopped by a traffic or police officer, demand to see their identification.
ALSO READ: PRETORIA GET IT APRIL 2023
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