PARKTOWN – Police arrested four suspects and recovered two pistols and a rifle following a foiled business robbery in Sebokeng on Thursday, 14 April 2022.

Police crime intelligence team received information about a business robbery that was to be committed at a bottle store in Sebokeng Zone 14 on Thursday. A team comprising of Crime Intelligence, Sedibeng Task Team, Sedibeng Tactical Response Team, Sedibeng K9 and Sedibeng Flying Squad kept a close observation, monitoring the suspects.

At about 17h15, the suspect’s vehicle that matched description given was spotted near the bottle store. It is reported that a gang of about seven armed suspects entered the bottle store. As police were approaching, the suspects started shooting randomly towards them and a shootout ensued.

Four suspects were arrested and three firearms, two pistols and a rifle were recovered. Preliminary investigation revealed that the vehicle driven by the suspects, a red VW Polo, was stolen in Vereeniging last year.

Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Elias Mawela commended the team for acting swiftly and tactically to prevent a business robbery and a possible loss of lives. “I am pleased with the manner in which the members handled the information and arrested these suspects. There is a high possibility that these suspects are involved in other serious and violent crimes. Their arrests will help in the reduction of crime in Sedibeng and the surroundings” said Lieutenant General Mawela.

The suspects will be profiled and the confiscated firearms will be subjected to ballistic tests to establish any linkages to other crimes.

The arrested suspects will appear at Sebokeng Magistrates Court in due course while the search is underway for the suspects that escaped from the scene.

Source: South African Police Service