WESTERN CAPE – After a spate of house robberies in the Winelands and surrounding rural areas, members of Paarl SAPS Crime Prevention Unit and the Agter Paarl Farm Watch arrested a suspect that could possibly be linked to house robberies in the rural area. The suspect was arrested in possession of stolen items linked to a house robbery on a farm in the Tulbagh area last night, 17 June 2021.
The Paarl SAPS and Agter Farm Watch members held a vehicle check point (VCP) on the R45 road when they pulled over a silver Chevrolet with five males in the vehicle. On requesting the driver to open the vehicles boot the four male passenger jumped out of the vehicle and fled the scene. The vehicle was subsequently searched and balaclavas, gloves and a baby browning firearm with magazine and four rounds were found in the vehicle amongst numerous electronic items. It was discovered that the electronic items found in the vehicle belonged to a farm owner in the Tulbagh area that was robbed earlier in the evening by five unknown males. The items were positively identified by the owner and the driver of the vehicle, a 32-year-old from, Kuilsrivier was subsequently arrested for the possession of an illegal firearm, ammunition, stolen property and house breaking implements. Investigation into the arrest of the other suspects is continuing.
In an unrelated matter, police visibility in Philippi-East continue to deliver the desired results. A 25-year-man is due to appear in the court once charged for hijacking. The suspect was arrested last night during patrols while driving in the hijacked vehicle. When the vehicle was tested, it was positively linked to hijacking in Samora Machel policing precinct. The suspect is currently in detention.
Two men will also face court today on a charge of possession of stolen motor vehicle after vigilant police members on patrol arrested them on Wednesday, 16 June in Philippi-East. Both aged, 27 and 28 from Marikana informal settlement were arrested after the officers did stop-and-search operations and tested the vehicle for ownership. The motor vehicle was positively linked to a theft case in the Pinelands policing precinct during this month.
Source: South African Police Service