Police in Sandton made a breakthrough in arresting four (4) suspects who might be involved in serious and violent crimes. Ski masks and four unlicensed 9mm pistols were seized by Police. The suspects were arrested during a high speed chase that started from N1 North (Rivonia-off ramp) and ended up near Greenstone shopping centre yesterday afternoon at about 14:00. Their getaway vehicle, a black Peugeot, has also been impounded for further investigation.
The chase started when the police tried to stop and search a suspicious vehicle with four men. Instead the vehicle sped –off. When police cornered the vehicle, the occupants were ordered out of the vehicle and it was searched. Four unlicensed firearms were found inside the vehicle. The suspects were then arrested on charges of possession of unlicensed firearms. Three of these suspects were previously arrested on serious and violent crimes and they are out on bail for cases of armed robbery, house robbery, hijacking of vehicle and possession of unlicensed firearm. Two of these suspects have further been linked to two house robberies in Honeydew policing area. One of the three suspects was sentenced to 45 years imprisonment after being convicted of a house robbery in Bramley and he is out on bail pending an appeal of the sentence. The fourth suspect is being profiled and it is suspected that he forms part of this gang.
Police are also investigating the possibility that the suspects may be linked to a gang involved in several cases where victims were followed from the shopping malls and robbed in the driveway of their residents. Most of the items taken involved expensive jewellery and cash. In most of these robberies, the suspects were wearing balaclavas/ski masks and armed with firearms (handguns and assault rifles).
The suspects are due to appear at the Alexandra Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 17 July 2014 on charges of possession of unlicensed firearms. Police intends to oppose bail as the suspects are out on bail on serious crimes and may also be linked to other cases as investigation continues.
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