A cellphone heist was foiled and half a dozen suspects were apprehended early on Thursday afternoon following a high-speed chase through Cape Town’s streets.
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The incident occurred when the driver of a VW sedan ran a red light at the intersection of Wetton and Chukker Roads.
An unmarked Transport Enforcement Unit vehicle was nearby and began a pursuit.
Despite police orders to pull over, the driver allegedly fled, leading officers on a chase through several intersections.
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As the chase progressed, more response vehicles joined in, finally bringing the suspects to a halt on Monton Road in Kenwyn.
While most of the occupants were apprehended, one fled the scene.
‘Inside the vehicle, officers found a revolver with ammunition, knives and a cargo bag filled with cellular devices,’ said Mayco member for safety and security, JP Smith. ‘With five suspects arrested, it then turned out that the cellphone shop on 274 Main Road in Kenilworth had just suffered an armed robbery.’
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‘With the shop consultants now positively identifying the five suspects and verifying the stolen property, a case of Business Robbery was registered.’
A short while later, the sixth suspect was spotted trying to leave the area and was also arrested.
Meanwhile, in an unrelated incident, an integrated takedown operation led by the Western Cape Provincial Detectives’ Serious and Violent Crime Investigations Unit in the early hours of Thursday morning, led to the arrest of a 37-year-old man and the seizure of firearms and ammunition.
The members obtained and executed a search warrant on premises situated in NY5 Gugulethu.
A further search of the premises resulted in the discovery of four rifles with 123 rounds of ammunition and four 9mm pistols with 150 rounds of ammunition.
The suspect was unable to provide a valid licence for the possession thereof and was subsequently arrested on charges related to the unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
He is scheduled to appear in the Athlone Magistrates’ Court once charged for the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
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Picture: JP Smith / Facebook