Three in court after chop shop uncovered
Three men are expected to appear in the Somerset West Magistrate’s Court on Friday on charges relating to possession of hijacked vehicles and stolen property.
CAPE TOWN, June 4 (ANA) – Three men are expected to appear in the Somerset West Magistrate’s Court on Friday on charges relating to possession of hijacked vehicles and stolen property.
Provincial police spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi said the suspects, aged between 37 and 42, were arrested on Wednesday and Thursday.
He said members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) attached to the Bellville Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit were contacted by Macassar police to assist at a chop shop where they had arrested a 37-year-old man on a truck hijacking case.
Swartbooi said the members took over the investigation and this led to the arrest of the other two suspects at a chop shop in Buttercup Street in Macassar.
“Members found six vehicles worth more than R1,080,000 (US$79,054) reported stolen or hijacked, stored on the premises,” Swartbooi said.
Acting provincial police commissioner in the Western Cape, Major-General Thembisile Patekile, lauded the members for their diligence.
In a separate incident on Thursday, three suspects were arrested for a business robbery in Gugulethu after officers conducting patrols in the area spotted a suspect being pursued by members of the community.
Officers arrested the suspect and were informed that a sports shop had been robbed by the suspects, who fled with cash and clothing.
Investigations led to the arrest of a further two suspects who were found in possession of the stolen clothing and money.
Once charged, the suspects, aged 18 to 21, will appear in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court.
In a separate incident on the same day, a 35-year-old man was arrested by Manenberg’s Crime Prevention Unit (CPU) after he was found in possession of a 9mm pistol and ammunition.
Once charged, he is expected to appear in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court.
– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Yaron Blecher
