Over 70 suspects apprehended during pre-festive season operation
The team continued their zero tolerance on crime in Tshwane with multidisciplinary crime-combatting reaction teams.
More than 70 suspects were arrested for various crimes during the operations carried out ahead of the festive season in the Rietgat, Loate, and Soshanguve policing precincts, in the north of Pretoria on November 16.
The operations focused on high-crime areas and included patrols, compliance inspections and crackdowns on illegal alcohol sales.
The suspects were arrested for crimes ranging from stolen vehicles, possession of unlicensed firearms, assault, housebreaking, public drinking and armed robbery.
The police executed the operation with the help of other stakeholders, including home affairs, labour, Gauteng traffic, Tshwane metro police department, CPFs, crime prevention wardens and elected councillors.
Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Johan van Dyk said the operation entailed high-visibility patrols in crime hotspots, compliance inspections and raids on illicit liquor outlets.
Van Dyk said 77 individuals were arrested for offences such as assault, housebreaking, public drinking, driving under the influence of alcohol and armed robbery.
“One suspect was arrested for possession of 216 packets of illicit cigarettes, which he could not account for. Two wanted suspects were traced and arrested on charges of armed robbery and kidnapping,” said Van Dyk.
He said 28 undocumented individuals were detained, pending legal proceedings.
“Should they be found in violation of immigration laws, deportation procedures will be initiated.”
The team inspected 17 liquor premises and found five liquor outlets to be non-compliant with the Liquor Act.
“Liquor was confiscated and will be destroyed upon finalisation of the criminal cases,” said Van Dyk.
“Five suspects were also arrested for possession of drugs when the police found 159 balls of various drugs.”
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