The Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Gauteng Province Police has arrested 88 suspects for robbery, hijack of vehicles, drug peddling and others crimes.
The Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela, said the operation leading to the arrest was also supported by the Highway Patrol, the Flying Squad, and the K9.
Speaking on the arrests, Mawela said: “Two of these suspects were arrested for possession of a hijacked vehicle in Leondale, Ekurhuleni while a third suspect was arrested for a similar offence in Soweto. The two suspects are expected to appear before the Germiston Magistrate Court following their arrest over the weekend by the Germiston Flying Squad.
“Also on Friday, April 23, in Leondale, the Members responded promptly to information of a hijacked Toyota Quantum travelling on the N3. The vehicle had allegedly been hijacked in Newcastle, KZN. The suspects were intercepted at the intersection of the M2 and Geldenhys. An on-site inspection confirmed that the vehicle was reported hijacked at Hattingspruit SAPS, and the two occupants were subsequently arrested for possession of a hijacked vehicle.
“Police searched and found in the vehicle, 10 cellphones and a signal-jamming device. Meanwhile the Highway Patrol over the weekend successfully tracked and found three hijacked vehicles within a short space of time. A Ford Ranger that was hijacked in Centurion, a Mercedes Benz reported hijacked at Linden SAPS, and a Nissan NP200 hijacked in Sasolburg in the Free State, were all recovered by different Highway Patrol teams on Saturday afternoon 24 April 2021 in different parts of Soweto.
“A suspect was arrested for possession of the stolen Ford Ranger and will appear in Court in due course, while the two other vehicles were found abandoned. A combined 60 hijacked vehicles and 13 illegal firearms were recovered by the RRS last week; and this is over and above those vehicles and illegal firearms recovered during various operations including the weekly O Kae Molao operations conducted across the Province.
“Seven suspects were arrested and charged with dealing and possession of drugs. Their court appearance is yet to be determined.
Different types of drugs and equipment with an estimated monetary value of over R10 million were seized for further investigation.
Further investigations and profiling of the suspects are underway to establish possible linkage of the suspects to other crime.
“The firearms will also be sent for ballistic testing to determine if they were not used in the commission of other crimes. Communities are urged to continue to collaborate with the police by giving tip-offs on suspicious activities and persons in their neighbourhoods.”