Five men believed to be behind a spate of cash-in-transit robberies, as well as robberies of courier vehicles in Soweto are in jail after cops pounced on the group at the weekend.
The suspects, aged between 30 and 38, were found in possession of three rifles, a pistol, magazines loaded with scores of ammunition, two hijacked vehicles, and a jammer.
According to police information, members of the crime intelligence and tactical response team received reliable information about armed suspects en route to commit a robbery.
The police intercepted the suspects while still in Soweto, and a search was conducted.
The two vehicles found at the premises, a BMW and Hyundai H100 bakkie, were reported to have been hijacked in Sandton and Linden, respectively this year.
Lieutenant-General Elias Mawela, Gauteng provincial police commissioner, applauded the police for foiling yet another aggravated robbery.
“I am pleased with the manner in which the police handled this information and arrested the suspects before they could commit another crime,” said Mawela.
“The firearms will be sent for ballistic tests and the suspects will be profiled to establish the crimes that they were involved in.”
The group will be charged with conspiracy to commit robbery, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, as well as possession of suspected hijacked motor vehicles.
The suspects are expected to appear in court soon.
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