Over 140 suspects arrested during Ekurhuleni crime crackdown led by SAPS
In an ongoing effort to address serious and violent crimes, SAPS members and other law enforcement agencies attached to the Ekurhuleni District conducted extensive operations from the afternoon of July 5 through to the morning of July 6.
The operations included stop-and-search activities, vehicle checkpoints, tavern visits and roadblocks. As a result, four illegal liquor outlets were closed.
During suspect-tracing operations conducted by detectives on July 5 across various policing precincts in Ekurhuleni, 142 suspects were arrested.
ALSO READ: Targeted crime blitz across Ekurhuleni results in big successes
Of these, 62 were apprehended for contact crimes, 26 for contact-related crimes, 13 for property crimes, 21 for GBV and 137 for other serious crimes.
Additional arrests were made during Operation Shanela, which was conducted across Ekurhuleni policing precincts and included SAPS, EMPD, Gauteng Traffic, CPF members, community patrollers, crime prevention wardens, and other law enforcement agencies.
In one incident in Norkem Park, police conducting a stop-and-search operation on Isimu Street in Birch Acres stopped a silver Suzuki Swift.
Officers found the driver in possession of a Bronwyn firearm with ammunition and without a licence.
ALSO READ: 82 suspects arrested in Gauteng crime crackdown
Further investigation revealed the firearm had been reported stolen at SAPS Tubatse in Limpopo in May 2016. The suspect was arrested and detained at Norkem Park Police Station.
Ekurhuleni district commissioner, Major General Anna Sithole, commended SAPS members and law enforcement partners for their efforts in ensuring suspects are removed from the streets and face the full might of the law.
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