House robbery syndicate busted
Police are confident that they've positively identified a syndicate believed to be behind several house robberies.
Police, with the assistance of Sector Specialised Operations Patrollers (SSOP), have broken the back of a syndicate suspected to be behind several house robberies throughout Roodepoort.
According to SSOP patrol captain Leon Marinus, their investigations unit, which gathers intelligence on organised crime, investigated a spate of house robbery incidents that occurred mainly in sector one of the Roodepoort policing precinct over about a year.
“The incidents occurred in Horison, Helderkruin, Wilro Park, and surrounds,” he says.
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“We decided to look more closely at the evidence, including re-looking at CCTV footage where available, and deploying our network of informants to see what we could find.
“Between significant groundwork and with the use of the advanced technology at our disposal, we managed to identify vehicles used in the commission of these crimes, and suspects that could be linked to them.”
Marinus says that after nearly two months of intensive investigation, they had built up a comprehensive case file on the suspected syndicate, which is based in the Princess Informal Settlement.
“We called a meeting with the police and handed our findings over to them.”
Marinus says they provided further assistance, sending an informant with an undercover patroller into Princess Informal Settlement to identify the specific shacks used by the syndicate, which, according to him, is also involved in drug dealing.
“Operational commander Captain Danny Pieterse staged an operation, but unfortunately, it seems word got out beforehand, and only one of the identified persons – a kingpin in the alleged syndicate – was arrested, and an unlicensed firearm was recovered.
“Luckily, we know who they are. It is just a question of time before we have them all.”
Roodepoort police sector one manager Warrant Officer Johan Loots is full of praise for the work of SSOP, adding that the impact of this operation is already evident.
“There has been an immediate and drastic drop in house robbery incidents,” he says.
“This is proof that CPF structures being the eyes and ears of the police is effective in combating crime in our neighbourhoods.”
Loots adds that the police’s investigation into the alleged syndicate is ongoing.
