In a bid to discourage trio and property related crimes by providing a responsive and proactive policing service, police in Hartbeespoort Dam apprehended Edmore Chikongoma (27) and Moses Phillip Mhlanga (19) on Thursday, 10 January 2019 at about 03:00 for possession of suspected stolen vehicle and unlicensed firearm.
The arrest emanated from a routine patrol that the police conducted around the area. It is alleged that a suspicious looking blue Toyota Corolla with three occupants, was noticed driving in the area and ultimately pulled off for a search.
According to information received, the police were busy searching the vehicle when the driver fled from the scene, but the remaining two suspects were apprehended. A firearm was also found inside the vehicle and confiscated.
Preliminary investigation by Brits Cluster Crime Intelligence as well as Trio Crimes Task Team led the team to a residential place at Ivory Park, Tembisa in Gauteng. A white Mazda Drifter that was alleged to be owned by one of the arrested suspects who is a tenant at that place, was found and seized. The suspect’s room was also searched and the police seized, balaclavas, hand gloves, radio tape as well as a pair of sneakers.
Further investigation revealed that the white Mazda Drifter was allegedly stolen during an armed robbery and murder incident which took place on Tuesday, 8 January 2019, at Legalaopeng Section in Mooinooi.
The two accused appeared briefly before the Brits Magistrates’ Court today, Friday, 11 January 2019 for possession of suspected stolen motor vehicle as well as possession of unlicensed firearm. They were remanded in custody until 23 January 2019.
Investigation into the matter continues.
The North West Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Ryno Naidoo emphasized that the police will work around the clock to ensure that criminals do not do as they please. He further said that the police will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that every kind of criminality is uprooted from our communities and that perpetrators are brought to justice.
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