By Augustine Ehikioya
For allegedly involving themselves in car hijacking and armed robbery, Police officials in South Africa have arrested a gang using Police uniforms as decoy in Lanseria at the weekend.
They were found with unlicensed firearms, ammunition and Police uniform.
This was contained in a statement issued by Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo of South African Police Service, Office of the Provincial Commissioner of Gauteng. It was made available to Security Watch Africa (SWA).
It reads “A gang that is suspected to be responsible for car hijackings and armed robberies around Gauteng was arrested in Lanseria on Sunday, 29 May, 2022 after they were found with unlicensed firearms, ammunition and Police uniform.
“The suspects aged between 26 and 36, are linked with various cases where victims are robbed and hijacked by people wearing Police uniforms.”
Explaining how the suspects carry out their evil acts and how they were caught, it said “Members of Crime Intelligence gathered information about suspects that wait at a petrol station to prey on unsuspecting motorists and subsequently hijack and rob them at gun point.
“Information on the planned hijacking that was to happen on Sunday night was shared with the operatives.
“A team comprising of members from SAPS Tactical Response Team, Gauteng Crime Intelligence, West Rand Flying Squad, Tracker Connect, Vision Tactical, Guardmax Security, and BCI Security came together to intercept the suspects.
“As the team was keeping a close observation, they spotted a blue Mazda that matched the description of the suspects’ vehicle and followed it until it stopped at the petrol station in Lanseria.
“Upon searching the five occupants and the car, Police found two unlicensed firearms (a shotgun and pistol), ammunition, and Police uniform.
“Suspects were arrested for possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, possession of suspected stolen property, impersonating Police Officers, and conspiracy to commit a crime,” it stated.
Provincial Commissioner of the Police in Gauteng, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela, the statement said, has commended the collaboration between the Police and private security companies through “the Eyes and Ears project as they continue to squeeze the space for criminals.”
The suspects, it said appeared before Randburg Magistrates’ Court today Tuesday, 31 May, 2022.