In a proactive operation, police thwarted a potential robbery in Sandton on Sunday, March 24, 2024, leading to the arrest of six armed suspects.
The incident unfolded when authorities received intelligence regarding a gang planning a robbery in Johannesburg, utilizing a marked courier truck. Members of the Johannesburg Flying Squad sprang into action and maintained surveillance, identifying two vehicles on the N1 South matching the given description.
Upon reaching the M1 South in Sandton, police intercepted a branded Courier Company Ford bakkie, driven by an employee, and a white Toyota double cab bakkie. A search of the vehicles uncovered two rifles and three pistols, all loaded with live ammunition, in the possession of the suspects.
The six suspects were promptly apprehended and charged with possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, as well as conspiracy to commit robbery. Further investigations will include ballistic testing of the firearms to ascertain their involvement in other crimes, and profiling of the suspects to determine any potential links to previous criminal activities.
Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni commended the swift action of the Johannesburg Flying Squad in preventing a potential tragedy. He expressed gratitude to the law-abiding community for their vigilance in reporting criminal activities, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts in combating crime in Gauteng.
“I thank our members from Flying Squad who acted swiftly after receiving the information and intercepted the suspects before they could commit crime and possibly kill innocent people. I also thank the law-abiding community of Gauteng, who continue to alert the police about criminal activities that are about to take place in our province. Working together, we will squeeze the space for the criminals in Gauteng,” said Lieutenant General Mthombeni.
