Concerted efforts to root out hijackings and armed robberies in the area of Browns Farm led to the arrest of 14 suspects which included six teenagers.
The suspects aged between 14 and 31 were arrested on the morning of Friday 22 January 2021, shortly after they robbed an e-hailing driver in Browns Farm. Police who were on patrol in Mpozolo Street were stopped by community members who pointed out three suspects who had robbed the driver. Members chased the trio and arrested them.
Questioning of the suspects led members to a shack in Phantsi Kwecingo Informal Settlement where eleven suspects were found with two cellphones belonging to the driver. All fourteen were arrested and detained.
In a separate case two suspects aged 21 and 22 were arrested on the night of Thursday, 21 January 2021 for hijacking and attempted murder that occurred on Thursday 14 January 2021.
The duo and an accomplice shot the victim in his stomach before hijacking his son’s vehicle in Situlo Road in Crossroads. The victim was rushed to a nearby medical facility for treatment.
Detectives followed up on the case and their networking expertise led to the arrest of the two perpetrators and one suspect is still to be apprehended.
Meanwhile five other suspects aged between 21 and 41 were arrested on Thursday, 21 January 2021, while transporting stolen vehicle parts in a Toyota Avanza near Siyanyanzela Informal Settlement, an area known for stripping vehicles. Members attached to Nyanga Crime Prevention were on patrol when they came across the suspects, stopped and searched their vehicle. The occupants were questioned about the vehicle parts but could not provide a reasonable explanation on how they procured it. All the suspects were arrested.
All the suspects are due to appear in Athlone and Philippi Magistrate Courts on Monday 25 January 2021 on charges of armed robbery, attempted hijacking, attempted murder and hijacking and possession of stolen property.
Two suspects aged 33 and 36 were arrested for a 2019 business robbery case and a 2020 rape case. The one appeared in Wynberg Magistrate Court on Friday 22 January 2021 facing charges of rape. The other one will make his court appearance in Athlone Magistrate Court on Monday, 25 January 2021.
The members were commended for their endeavours and networking expertise which led to the arrest of the suspects.
