Police arrest hundreds of suspects for aggravated robberies over past three months

The Trio Crime Combating Interventions, which have been put in place to intensify the prevention and investigation of house robberies, business robberies and hijackings as well as to trace and apprehend the perpetrators of these crimes, have been yielding significant results.

According to the police, the teams in Gauteng, Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Kwazulu-Natal, which have the highest contributing stations in terms of reported incidents of trio crime have worked tirelessly and in so doing, made notable strides during a three month period. 

“The teams include members from Crime Intelligence, Visible Policing, Tactical Response Team, Public Order Police, Detective Services and the Organised Crime Unit,” said police spokesperson, Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo.

He added that for the period June to August this year, the teams have apprehended more than 307 suspects and confiscated 43 firearms, 209 rounds of ammunition, and recovered 88 stolen or hijacked vehicles. 

According to Brigadier Naidoo, one of the notable recent successes achieved by the teams was the arrest of three business robbery suspects, aged between 29 and 43 years old, by the Gauteng team.

“The three were swiftly arrested a day after they had committed a robbery at Telkom, Wonder Park Mall in Pretoria.

“The police confiscated suspected stolen goods, unlicensed firearms and ammunition, a jamming device and recovered a hijacked vehicle which was suspected to have been used to commit the robbery. The speedy arrest of the perpetrators demonstrates the commitment and dedication of these Trio Crime Combatting Interventions,” he said.

He added that, over and above the mentioned successes, there have been a total of 8 919 vehicle check points conducted with over 60 000 vehicles, over 163 000 people and nearly 3000 premises being searched. 

“The mentioned activities which are conducted constantly form an integral part of policing and they are going to be intensified with joint operations with our colleagues from various other government departments as we head towards the festive season in a few weeks’ time,” he said.

The SAPS has since called upon communities to continue assisting the police in its efforts to combat crimes.

“Some of the ways people can be of assistance is to remain vigilant at all times and provide the police with information on all criminal activities, preferably before they are committed,” said Brigadier Naidoo.

He said that people can call Crime Stop number 0860010111 with such information.

“Callers may remain anonymous and all information will be treated with strictest confidence.”