A group of suspected cash-in-transit (CIT) robbers narrowly escaped arrest when police raided a house where they were hiding.
A joint intelligence-led operation has recovered seven large guns, a small pistol and a stolen BMW X5 from a house in Daveyton. The operation was carried out on Wednesday evening by the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD).
National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the operation was part of an ongoing investigation into a group believed to be involved in a number of serious and violent crimes across the Gauteng province. Mathe said that, based on intelligence, law enforcement officers raided a house in Daveyton, East Rand, on Wednesday evening. A number of guns and a stolen BMW X5 were found in the house. The suspects managed to escape. Police searched the area and seized a number of items.
“During the search of the premises, police recovered seven large-caliber rifles, one small-caliber rifle, camouflage jackets and a stolen BMW X5.”
Although the suspects managed to escape before police arrived, Mathe said an overnight manhunt had been launched to locate and arrest those believed to have been involved.
“An overnight manhunt is ongoing to locate and arrest known suspects who managed to escape without being arrested.”
Meanwhile, the Acting Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, commended the joint efforts of all law enforcement agencies involved in the operation. “
“We have made significant progress in dismantling the CIT crime syndicates, and we will continue to deal with those who continue to terrorize our communities and endanger the lives of innocent citizens,” said Dimpane. Dimpane also warned criminals involved in the robbery of cash-in-transit vehicles that their days are numbered.
