In a crime intelligence driven operation with the assistance of members attached to Tactical Response Team (TRT), Amathole District and Municipality Law enforcement arrested four suspects aged between 44 and 53 years last night, 16 August 2024, along the N2 outside Dutywa.
Members embarked on Operation Shanela with the aim to combat and prevent crime in Mbhashe and Mnquma policing precincts. Information was shared by the members from Crime Intelligence and Tactical Response Team about criminals who allegedly planned a robbery, driving a Mercedes Benz and a Ford Ranger towards Butterworth. They swiftly operationalized on N2 to prevent these criminals, and they spotted the suspicious vehicles near Ngxakaxha Location and managed to stop one of the vehicles. The Mercedes Benz fled on high speed, and a chase ensued. They were involved in an accident, and two occupants fled the scene. Upon searching these vehicles police recovered AK 47 Rifle, R5 rifle, two pistols, and various assorted rounds of ammunition, balaclavas as well as gloves.
Through thorough investigation, police discovered that both vehicles were stolen in Durban at the beginning of this month. These suspects will appear at Dutywa Magistrate Court on Monday 19 August 2024, for charges of possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
The Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene appreciated the swift response by all law enforcement that led to the arrest and foiling the armed robbery. “The confiscation of firearms and ammunition shows that police will interminable fight crime and ensure arrest,” she added.
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