Four arrested for 'follow home' robberies

Friday, July 14, 2017

Police have made yet another major breakthrough in their efforts to foil ‘follow home’ robberies at OR Tambo International Airport.

An intelligence driven operation has seen the arrest of four suspects linked to the crime, which sees criminals tailing people from the airport to their destinations, where they rob them.

Acting on a tip-off, police on patrol on the R24 and R21 spotted a suspicious vehicle. When the members attempted to stop the vehicle, the occupants opened fire on them. The members returned fire and disabled the vehicle, causing it to come to a halt on the R21 North, outside the airport, just before the Atlas Road off-ramp.

Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Katlego Mogale said the four suspects were arrested and three unlicensed firearms were recovered.

“The investigations are continuing and there is a possibility that the suspects could be linked to other crimes.”

The suspects will appear in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court soon on charges of attempted murder and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, among others. 

These arrests and seizure of firearms come shortly after three other cases where three suspects were arrested, five unlicensed firearms recovered and a large consignment of drugs was recovered.

These operations around the airport are part of the multi-disciplinary intervention introduced by government on Monday as part of fighting crime in the area.

“The safety and security of passengers and visitors to OR Tambo International Airport and our communities remains of paramount importance to all stakeholders involved, including the SAPS. This multi-disciplinary intervention will continue,” said Mogale. - SAnews.gov.za