Ndudi Anyim
Three courier van robbers wanted in Gauteng Province, South Africa, have been arrested by operatives of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Mpumalanga.
It was gathered that the arrest followed the relentless efforts of SAPS geared at eradicating the prevalence of courier van robberies, car and truck hijackings in Gauteng Province.
According to Brigadier Mathapelo Peters, who spoke for the Police, the intelligence-driven operation led operatives to Witbank in Mpumalanga Province where the robbers were arrested shortly after committing a robbery and escaping with cargo from a courier van.
Peters said: “ The team had earlier in the day spotted and kept close observation on a suspicious VolksWagen Polo Vivo with no registration in Honeydew, Johannesburg. As soon as the said vehicle moved, the members tactically pursued it until they reached Witbank, Emalahleni.
“ The team conducted a further investigation that led them to Platinum View Apartments. It is at this location where Police observed the vehicle in question speed off and Police gave chase. The suspects’ car stopped after allegedly crashing into another vehicle and three occupants were arrested.
“ The vehicle was searched and two firearms were recovered with serial numbers filed off, along with cellphones and routers with an estimated value of around R500,000. The Polo Vivo was seized on suspicion of having been used during the commission of crime.
” The three suspects aged between 28 and 35 were swiftly linked with the armed robbery of a courier van that had taken place earlier in Witbank, while police were able to find the courier van and its driver. ”
He added that further investigations are underway to establish a possible linkage of the suspects to hijackings, other courier van robberies, and other serious and violent crimes in both Gauteng and Mpumalanga.