SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE: GAUTENG
For Immediate Release
Date: Tuesday, 26 November 2013
POLICE ARREST 3 SUSPECTED HOUSE ROBBERS AND CONFISCATE 5 VEHICLES
The Police have arrested three men aged between 22 and 37 years old respectively, for a spate of house robberies, burglaries and hijackings around Pretoria.
Two of the suspects have been positively linked to the robberies of two homes in Erasmia. One of them being the home of Yusuf Abramjee, Head of Crime Line, last Friday morning.
Abramjee, his wife and son were surprised by the gunmen who entered their home after jumping a wall. The robbers demanded Abramjee’s car and a shootout ensued as they drove off.
Following intense police investigations, a multi-disciplined task team arrested the suspects in Atteridegeville late yesterday afternoon (Monday).
The SAPS team comprised of DPCI, National Investigation Unit, various cluster tracing units, the Gauteng Flying Squad, reservists and Erasmia SAPS. Investigators from Tracker assisted.
Police recovered three hijacked/stolen vehicles (a Mini Cooper, Nissan 1400 bakkie and an Audi RS4) at the homes of the suspects. Earlier, police seized a Mercedes Benz C class robbed in Laudium and Abramjee’s BMW that was taken at gunpoint.
Two illegal firearms and ammunition were seized yesterday during the police operation. Police confiscated several items either used during robberies or stolen by the suspects.
The breakthrough came after the team followed up various leads following Abramjee’s robbery. This included CCTV footage. The police also received tip-offs from Crime Line and Crime Stop.
Two of the suspects were arrested at the Attlyn Mall in Atteridgeville. Follow up operations led police to the third suspect.
The men are facing charges of armed robbery, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, possession of stolen property and extortion. The extortion charge relates to an attempt to buy a docket from police. Police seized cash from the two suspects.
“We congratulate the team for the hard work and the breakthrough. These suspects are being linked to several cases in the Pretoria area and more charges could follow. We also expecting to make more arrests. This is once again an indication that Policing cannot be done by the Police alone and that we need community participation in it”.Investigations are at a very sensitive stage,” said acting Gauteng Police Commissioner, Lt Gen Lesetja Mothiba.
The suspects are expected to appear in the Atteridgeville Magistrates Court tomorrow.
Abramjee has welcomed the swift police action. “We must now ensure that the suspects are convicted and punished. The police have been most professional in their investigations. I am been told they will oppose bail.
”We at Crime Line also thank the public for passing on information anonymously. It appears this gang is linked to scores of cases and we urge the public to continue blowing the whistle on criminals,” Abramjee added.
[END]
Statement issued by the SAPS a/Gauteng Provincial Commissioner
Lieutenant General Lesetja Mothiba
Enquiries:
Brigadier Neville Malila (082 411 4030)
Provincial Head: Corporate Communication
GAUTENG
e-mail: malilan@saps.gov.za