Three nABBed WITh unlICenSed rIfle And AMMo!

Three male suspects aged between 46 and 59 were arrested by the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) IIOC Undercover Reaction Unit together with the SAPS Johannesburg Crime Intelligence in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, and for conspiracy to commit a business robbery in Jeppe.

On Saturday (25 March 2023), officers received information about suspects in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition at Jeppe Hostel. It was further alleged that the suspects were planning to commit a business robbery. The JMPD Undercover Commander mobilised a team, gathered information, the description of the suspects and the vehicles they intended to use in the commission of a crime.

The officers spotted and stopped the vehicles which matched the description given, a white Toyota minibus and a Toyota Corolla. They searched the suspects and the vehicles. A firearm (rifle), and a magazine with twenty-two rounds were recovered.

The suspects failed to produce a firearm licence or permit to possess the firearm. Upon further inspection, the officers discovered that the serial number of a rifle was filed off. The trio was arrested and detained at Jeppe SAPS. The two vehicles used in the commission of a crime were seized and booked in at the SAPS Aeroton pound for further investigation.

All suspects were positively linked to various crimes in Gauteng. The first suspect has a pending case of hijacking a motor vehicle as per the Ivory Park SAPS case. The second suspect was positively identified on footage of a business robbery which took place in Sebenza Edenvale. He was sought for attempted murder as per the Diepkloof SAPS case and also has a pending case for possession of an unlicensed firearm as per the Jeppe SAPS case. The third suspect has a pending case of murder with a firearm as per the Moffatview SAPS case.

“All the suspects will appear in court during the week,” said JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla.