- Johannesburg police arrested four suspects linked to armed robberies on Wednesday.
- The arrest follows a tip-off, the vehicle they were travelling in and their whereabouts.
- In a second incident, a suspected hijacker was arrested in Tshwane.
Johannesburg police have arrested four suspects, who are believed to have been involved in armed robberies with aggravated circumstances, following a tip-off.
According to a statement by the police, a team comprising the Gauteng Serious and Violent Crimes Unit, Johannesburg East Crime Intelligence Unit, Johannesburg K9 Unit, Fidelity Specialised Services, Tracker SA and Community Active Protection followed up on a tip-off about the suspects on Wednesday.
"The team received information on Wednesday, 23 June 2021 that the four suspects were in Sandton driving a silver Volkswagen Polo. The suspects' vehicle was spotted and stopped," police spokesperson Captain Mavela Masondo said.
"Upon searching the suspects and vehicle, police found two unlicenced firearms. It was discovered that the engine of the vehicle they are driving had been tampered with.
"It is suspect[ed] that the vehicle was stolen."
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In a separate incident, the same team, along with the Tshwane Metro Police Department's K9 Unit, recovered a car that was reportedly hijacked in Alexandra on Tuesday.
"The team received information about a hijacked vehicle that was stored in Mabopane, Tshwane. Police kept observation, at about 22:20, the vehicle came driving out, and a chase ensued until it was cornered. A 32-year-old man was arrested and charged with possession of the hijacked vehicle."
Gauteng police commissioner Major-General Tommy Mthombeni welcomed the arrests.
Mthombeni said:
"I would also like to thank the community that continues to give information to the police and expose criminals. Working together, we can keep crime to a minimum."