By Jonk wa Mashamba
news@alexreporter.co.za
Police in Gauteng continue to foil the ATM bombings and aggravated robberies in the province as suspects were intercepted and firearms, as well as explosives, were recovered across the province this week.
In Tshwane, on 26 April 2023, police received information about an armed gang that was involved in armed robberies, where they sometimes targeted online buyers in Winterveld and Loate in Tshwane.
“The information was that the gang was planning to commit yet another armed robbery.
“Police operationalised the information and pounced on the safe house where they found five males.
“A search was conducted on the suspects and the premises which resulted in the recovery of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, from one of the suspects.
“He was arrested and charged with possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition,” said Lieutenant Mavela Masondo.
In a separate incident, still in Tshwane, police from Crime Intelligence received information regarding five suspects who were planning an ATM bombing in Saulsville, Pretoria.
“In the early hours of the morning, a team of law enforcement agencies, consisting of Tshwane K-9, Tshwane Metro Police Department (K-9), Explosive Unit, Pretoria Central Local Criminal Record Centre and Tracker conducted an intelligence-driven operation and pounced on the suspects. Upon searching the suspects in Saulsville, police recovered explosives that are suspected to be used during ATM bombings.
“Suspects were arrested for possession of explosives,” Masondo said.
