Police arrest 2 suspects and recover R2.2m in vehicles and gold in Centurion
Highway chases, stolen cars, unlicensed firearms and unrefined gold bars were uncovered during targeted crime-prevention drives in Pretoria.
Tshwane Flying Squad officers arrested two suspects and recovered three vehicles during separate operations in Centurion on Monday, October 5.
N14 highway pursuit
The operations began when officers responded to a reported armed robbery in Wierdabrug and spotted a grey Chevrolet Captiva allegedly linked to the incident travelling on the N14 highway.
Tshwane Flying Squad spokesperson Warrant Officer Frans Spang said officers immediately pursued the vehicle.
The suspects abandoned the Captiva at a plot on Monument Drive in Mnandi before fleeing in a blue Ford Ranger.
“Members continued pursuing the Ford Ranger in the direction of Olievenhoutbosch,” Spang said.
The suspects eventually stopped the vehicle and fled on foot, before officers apprehended one suspect while others escaped.
A search of the suspect led to the recovery of a firearm with its serial number filed off. Members then returned to the abandoned Captiva, where they found another firearm with its serial number removed.
“A blue light mounted on the dashboard, a reflective jacket and additional number plates were also recovered from the vehicle,” Spang said.
Stolen vehicle and false plates
Further investigation revealed that the Captiva was displaying false number plates and had been reported stolen at Pretoria Central Police Station.
“The arrested suspect was taken to Olievenhoutbosch Police Station, while the firearms, blue light, reflective jacket and number plates were booked into the SAPS 13 evidence room,” Spang said.
He noted that the Lyttelton Criminal Record Centre attended the scene to conduct further investigations.
“The Captiva and Ford Ranger were taken to the Pretoria West Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit, where they were booked as exhibits,” Spang said. “The two recovered vehicles have an estimated combined value of R740 000.”
Gold bars seized in Lyttelton
Later that evening, Flying Squad officers conducting crime-prevention patrols in Lyttelton stopped a suspicious silver Honda CR-V.
They interviewed the driver before searching the vehicle, where they found three gold bars and loose jewellery, according to Spang.
“The driver could not provide certificates or valid documentation authorising him to possess the gold, resulting in his arrest for allegedly contravening the Precious Metals Act,” Spang said.
He said the suspect was taken to Lyttelton Police Station for detention, while the gold bars and jewellery were booked into the SAPS evidence room.
The recovered gold bars are estimated to be worth about R1.5m. The Honda CR-V was also taken to the Pretoria West Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit. The vehicle is valued at about R480 000.
Spang confirmed that investigations into the two incidents are still ongoing.
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