Police arrest 36 suspects at weekend
The officers recovered an Astra 38 Spl flywheel gun, one teargas canister (SAPS branded) and a knife (commonly referred to as an Okapi) that were hidden inside the vehicle.
The central SAPS Vuthu Hawe operation netted 36 suspects between the ages of 19 and 46 years this weekend for various crimes.
Pretoria Central police spokesperson Constable Thabang Nkhumise said the three-day operation took in the suspects for theft, shoplifting, common assault, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, interference with police duty, common robbery and fraud. Eight illegal immigrants were also arrested.
He said seven men were arrested for possession of suspected illegal substances such as rock, nyaope and cocaine.
He said one of the key arrests was of a 31-year-old man caught in possession of an unlicensed firearm on the corner of Francis Baard and Paul Kruger streets on Sunday morning around 04:00 when police spotted a suspicious silver Toyota Corolla roaming the empty streets.
“Upon searching it, the officers recovered an Astra 38 Spl flywheel gun, one teargas canister (SAPS branded) and a knife (commonly referred to as an Okapi) that were hidden inside the vehicle. The suspect was immediately arrested and detained at the Pretoria Central SAPS station,” he said.
The Central Police say that the operation was conducted with “the sole purpose of addressing crime within the precinct and surrounding areas”.
Station commander Brigadier MM Dladla applauded the officers on their successful arrests and urged residents to stay on their guard in the face of an increase in contact crimes recently.
“Please refrain from walking alone late at night in isolated areas, always try to walk in a group,” Brigadier Dladla advised.
All the arrested suspects appeared at the Pretoria magistrate’s court.
To report any crimes, call Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or dial 112 on your cell phone.
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