SAPS - South African Police Service

06/24/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/24/2022 11:51

12 Armed suspects arrested, one fatally wounded in a foiled business robbery

Media Statement
Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks)

PRETORIA - A multi-disciplinary police operation resulted in a resounding success when they intercepted a group of armed suspects who were enroute to hit a jewellery shop in a mall in Pretoria.

The joint team swiftly acted on information from Crime Intelligence about a criminal group from Johannesburg reportedly planning to hit a jewellery shop in one of the malls in Pretoria.

The resourceful team with multiple expertise includes Tactical Operations Management Section (TOMS) of the Hawks at Head Office, SAPS Highway Patrol, Gauteng Traffic Police's Saturation Unit, Tracker Connect, Badboyz Security, Protea Coin chopper, Insurance Crime Bureau (ICB) and Netcare 911.

Gathered information was analysed and a criminal safe house was identified in Chunkie Street in Mamelodi West. Furthermore, four vehicles fitted with false number plates were spotted at the safe house. They were intercepted in Maphalla Street near Mamelodi Crossing mall exiting the area.

A shootout with the police ensued, one of suspects was fatally wounded and a firearm was recovered from him. A total of four vehicles believed to have been used in the commission of crime were seized for further investigation and three more firearms were found in two of the vehicles. One of the four vehicles was fitted with a signal jamming device and another jamming device was found in their safe house.

A total of 12 suspects between the ages of 26 and 58 were arrested for murder, attempted murder, illegal possession of jamming devices, conspiracy to commit crime, illegal possession of firearm and ammunition.

They are expected to appear in Mamelodi Magistrate's Court on Monday, 27 June 2022.

Ends

Enquiries: Lieutenant
Colonel Philani Nkwalase
071 481 3468

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