PRETORIA – Six suspects between the ages of 27 and 42 were arrested in Pretoria on Saturday, 19 February 2022, for several charges that include conspiracy to commit armed robbery, attempted murder, possession of illegal firearm and ammunition, possession of stolen car and police impersonation.
Their arrest was carried out during a sting operation executed by the Hawks Serious Organised Crime’s Tactical Operations Management Section (TOMS) in concert with SAPS Airwing, Special Task Force, Tshwane Tactical Response Team (TRT), Gauteng Traffic Police’s Saturation Unit, K9 unit, Tracker Connect and Badboyz Security.
The multi-disciplinary team promptly reacted to information received about a syndicate allegedly linked to a series of armed robberies in Gauteng which was planning an armed robbery in Pretoria.
The joint law enforcement team members were strategically placed and a convoy of vehicles with false registrations matching the description were spotted in Hatfield. Upon noticing the police presence, the suspected vehicles dispersed in different directions and a chase ensued.
Two suspects driving in a Caddy were stopped and arrested in Silverton on Pretoria Street near a petrol station. Preliminary investigation revealed that the Volkswagen Caddy was reported stolen in Pretoria West in October 2021.
Meanwhile another team followed a Volkswagen GTI Golf 7 that drove in high speed to evade arrest. When the police tried stopping them on Alwyn Road in Nellmuphius, they allegedly shot at the police who returned fire.
A police constable attached to Gauteng Crime Intelligence was arrested along with two other occupants in the vehicle.
One of the suspects, a civilian wearing full police uniform sustained gunshot wounds and was rushed to hospital where he’s yonder police guard.
An illegal firearm and ammunition was recovered from the trio and seized for further investigation. Fake Hawks regalia was also seized during their arrest.
Another constable also from Crime Intelligence was later linked to the syndicate and arrested, she was in possession of a Nissan X Trail from Crime Intelligence fitted with false registration which was also seized for further investigation.
They are expected to appear in the Pretoria Magistrates’ court on Monday, 21 February 2022. More arrests are imminent as investigation is ongoing.
Source: South African Police Service