🇿🇦South AfricaSouthern Africa
Pretoria raid leads to arrest of 69-year-old suspect, recovery of hijacked cars and explosives
via The Citizen2 min read
An intelligence-driven police operation in Pretoria resulted in the arrest of a 69-year-old man and the recovery of hijacked vehicles and suspected explosives. Crime Intelligence officers, supported by Gauteng Highway Patrol and specialized units, raided a property in Silverton after receiving information about a planned heist. They discovered hijacked cars, false registration plates, and a bag of explosives believed to be connected to a series of robberies across Gauteng. Police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko stated that a cash-in-transit robbery was allegedly being planned in the Pretoria area. Officers recovered a Mercedes-Benz, reported stolen in Villieria, and a Toyota Fortuner, stolen in Hartbeespoort, both fitted with false registration plates. A five-liter container of petrol was found in the Mercedes-Benz. A white Toyota Quantum on the premises contained a bag with suspected explosives, which were seized for forensic analysis. Preliminary investigations suggest the vehicles may have been used in several cash-in-transit robberies and attempted robberies, including an incident in Silverton on May 30. The 69-year-old suspect is expected to appear in court on charges related to the possession of suspected stolen motor vehicles and explosives, with further charges possible as investigations continue.
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