The Police in Calcutta recovered a firearm, some suspected stolen goods as well as a vehicle allegedly used in a robbery. This achievement was made during the afternoon of Wednesday 12 July 2023.
According to information, the members in Calcutta responded to a robbery incident whereby a courier service vehicle was attacked in Shabalala next to Hazyview.
Four suspects are said to have robbed the driver and his crew, of electronic equipment, mobile phones, decoders, USB cables and other items.
The consignment was then offloaded from the courier vehicle into the car driven by the suspects. Thereafter, unbeknown to them that their mission was about fail, the robbery suspects reportedly fled the scene with the stolen items, leaving behind the two victims with their courier vehicle.
The established partnership between SAPS and other law enforcement agencies played a crucial role in this incident.
Thanks to Netstar Tracker Company for the valuable information they shared with the Police as it helped a great deal in locating the stolen goods.
On 12 July 2023, at about 13:00, it is reported that a Suzuki Ertiga, which matched the description of the vehicle which was used in the robbery, was spotted at Tsemamarhumbu Trust in Calcutta.
As members signaled for its driver to stop, all four occupants are said to have jumped out of the vehicle then fled on foot to evade arrest.
As Police conducted a search on the vehicle, that was the time when they recovered a Norinco pistol though its serial numbers was filed off.
Other goods found by the astute members inside the vehicle, included electronic equipment, as well as some cellphones, decoders, USB cables to mention but a few.
According to investigators, the recovered items are believed to be the ones allegedly stolen by the suspects during the said robbery.
The vehicle was confiscated for further probe meanwhile the investigation team is hard at work with a sole purpose to ensure that perpetrators thereof are soon brought to book.
Part of the investigation will also focus on locating the owner of the vehicle.
However, preliminary investigation thus far does not indicate anything with regard to the vehicle being somehow reported stolen.
Police therefore urge anyone with information that may assist in apprehending the perpetrators to call the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111. Alternatively, members of the public can send information via MYSAPS APP.
All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has welcomed the recovery of the robbed goods and vowed that it is just a matter of time before all perpetrators are arrested.
