Cops foil robbery, arrest suspect

The Police’s readiness to prevent and combat crime during the upcoming Festive Season was clearly illustrated during the arrest of a suspect who was allegedly part of a bigger group that reportedly planned to rob a number of businesses and a casino in Burgersfort on Sunday.
Provincial Police Communications Head Mo­tlafela Mojapelo stated that law enforcers had received information about an unknown number of suspects travelling around the area in two vehicles, a Toyota Hilux and a Ford Ranger neither of which displayed license plates.

Members of the Crime Intelligence Unit, detectives, K9 Unit and Public Order Policing Unit quickly mobilised to trace and monitor the suspects’ movements. Police decided to corner the vehicles along the R37 close to Praktiseer in the direction of the casino and managed to arrest one suspect. He was found in possession of a firearm of which the serial number was filed off and eight rounds of live ammunition, according to Mojapelo.
He added that the successful arrest forms part of the Festive Season operations which resulted in the arrest of 246 suspects across the province last week.
During these arrests 17 unlicensed firearms, nine suspected stolen vehicles, large amounts of cash, televisions, cell phones, laptops and knives were found and confiscated.
Mojapelo added that the suspects were arrested on charges varying from murder, attempted murder, house robbery, rape, theft, contravention of the Immigration Act, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, burglary and contravention of the Road Traffic Act.
He indicated that some of the arrested suspects have already appeared before various magistrates’ courts across the province.
Provincial Commissioner Nneke Ledwaba commended all members involved in the ongoing Festive Season operations and urged community members to work with the Police in making sure that the holiday season becomes the safest one ever.

Story: RC Myburgh
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