North West – Three men believed to be kingpins of a housebreaking syndicate and a fourth man were arrested and appeared in court in the North West province following a community tip-off, provincial police said on Friday.
“We were on the lookout for the three men believed to be kingpins of a syndicate suspected to be behind a spate of crimes, including robberies and housebreakings in the Rustenburg area,” said provincial spokesperson Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone.
“We thank the community for information that led to the arrest. Active partnership between the police and community in policing issues can go a long way in the fight against crime.”
After a spate of robberies and housebreakings, Tlhabane police alerted the local community to be on the lookout for a “suspicious-looking silver grey Toyota Corolla with three male occupants wearing reflector jackets”.
On Tuesday, March 24, a community member informed Tlhabane Crime Prevention about a vehicle matching the police description.
Police responded, cornering the three suspects – Neo Matsemela, Sello Itumeleng, and Maboa Stevens – and immediately recovering two unlicensed firearms without serial numbers and 18 rounds of live ammunition.
The officers also found housebreaking implements including a crowbar and screw driver, jewellery, three cellphones, a duvet set, and expensive perfumes.
Shortly before their arrest, the trio had allegedly committed an armed robbery at a local tuckshop, robbing the complainant of an undisclosed amount of money and merchandise.
Added to this, preliminary investigations revealed the suspects’ vehicle had a false North West registration number while another set of Gauteng-issued number plates were discovered.
Further investigation into the trio’s case led police to the recovery of two plasma televisions, two remote jammers, and two cellphones at a home in Thlabane.
The homeowner, 39-year-old Peter Mogale, was arrested and charged for possession of stolen properties after appearing in Bafokeng Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
Mogale was granted R1000 bail and would appear again in court on April, 24.
Matsemela, Itumeleng, and Stevens appeared in Rustenburg Magistrates’ Court on Thursday for possession of suspected stolen property, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, as well as possession of housebreaking implements.
Their case was postponed until April 2 for further investigation.
“At this stage, investigations are underway to try and link the suspects to similar cases reported within the Rustenburg area,” said Mokgwabone.
African News Agency