CAPE TOWN - Police in the Western Cape have arrested 698 wanted suspects for a range of offences including murder, house robbery, burglary and sexual offences.
On Monday morning, the SAPS provincial spokesperson Joseph Swartbooi said detectives worked hard on the cases.
“Our detectives were hard at work and arrested 698 wanted suspects who found themselves on the wrong side of the law on charges related to murder, attempted murder, assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm, house robbery, burglary, sexual offences and possession of drugs.
“Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile has commended the unrelenting efforts of all police officials involved in all operations and the communities for their involvement in the fight against crime,” Swartbooi said.
Separately, on Saturday, members attached to Grassy Park SAPS noticed a suspicious man on a bicycle near the corner of Strandfontein Road and 11th Avenue, Eagle Park, who they stopped and searched.
They found a black and silver Girsan 9mm pistol with its serial number filed off and 15 rounds of ammunition in his possession. The 40-year-old man was arrested and detained on charges of possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition.
In Kensington that same night, the SAPS Crime Prevention Unit received a tip-off that a shop on the corner of Voortrekker Weg and 13th Avenue Kensington would be robbed.
Swartbooi said: “During observation a silver Tazz was observed at the shopping centre. When the vehicle was searched the occupant, a 19-year-old man, was arrested when he was found in possession of a .22 firearm with serial number filed off and ammunition. He is due to appear in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Monday on charges of possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition."
Swartbooi said that on Friday Woodstock police were doing patrols down Regent Street when they saw a man running away from them as they approached.
“Members gave chase and saw the suspect trying to hide something under a light delivery vehicle nearby.
“The suspect was caught when the police recovered a Z88 firearm with no serial number and ammunition. The 40-year-old suspect was arrested and detained. He is due to appear in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Monday.”
Cape Times