Police Foil Business Robbery Plot In Joburg, Arrest Three Suspects

The Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) has placed three men under arrest on suspicion of possessing an unlicensed firearm and ammunition and for conspiring to commit a business robbery in Jeppe.

According to JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla, the men aged between 46 and 59 were intercepted and apprehended by the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department’s IIOC (Integrated Intelligence Operations Centre) undercover reaction unit, along with the SAPS Joburg’s crime intelligence unit, while planning a business robbery.

“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,” Fihla said.

As reported by IOL, the JMPD undercover commander mobilised a team and collected information, including the suspects’ descriptions and the vehicles they intended to use in committing the crime.

The officers spotted and stopped the vehicles that matched the description – a Toyota Corollawhite and a Toyota minibus.

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“They searched the suspects and the vehicles. A firearm (rifle), and a magazine with 22 rounds were recovered. The suspects failed to produce a firearm licence or permit to possess the firearm,” Fihla mentioned.

Upon further inspection, the officers discovered that someone had filed off the rifle’s serial number.

“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,” Fihla stated.

“All suspects were positively linked to various crimes in Gauteng.”

Fihla added that the first suspect already has a case of hijacking a motor vehicle in Ivory Park.

“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,” Fihla confirmed.

“The third suspect has a pending case of murder with a firearm as per the Moffatview SAPS case.”

All the suspects are due to appear in court this week.

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Picture: Facebook / JohannesburgMetropolitanPoliceDepartment2001