Nebo Police apprehend bakery truck robbery syndicate and wild meat thieves
Nebo
The Police in Sekhukhune have apprehended two suspects, aged 20 and 26, who are believed to be involved in a series of criminal activities targeting bakery delivery trucks and local businesses in Nebo, Rakgoadi and Masemola policing precinct since March 2024.
According to the police, the duo was arrested following a thorough investigation and collaborative efforts between Nebo and Jane Furse Police tracking team members.
Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, Limpopo Provincial Police Spokesperson, said through the collaborative efforts of the police teams, the suspects were identified and arrested in Nebo on Thursday during the night of 11 April 2024.
“During the arrest, police recovered one unlicensed firearm believed to have been used during the crime and some of the robbed items belonging to the victims. Both suspects are currently in custody and will soon appear before the respective Magistrate’s Courts facing four counts of business robbery, possession of suspected stolen property and possession of unlicensed firearm,” explained Ledwaba.
Provincial Commissioner of the Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has commended the diligent work of all police officers involved and urged community members to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the police.
Meanwhile the Police in Nebo apprehended three suspects who are allegedly involved in an armed robbery, carjacking and attempted murder committed on Wednesday 10 April 2024 in Nebo policing area in which a vehicle transporting wild meat from a well-known butchery based in Groblersdal was ambushed.
According to Ledwaba, the three suspects, aged between 27 and 32, were apprehended following a coordinated operation conducted by the operational team comprising of the Provincial Tracking Team, Murder and Robbery as well as Detectives from Nebo and neighbouring stations, in collaboration with private security company.
“The operation, which was executed with precision and professionalism, led to the recovery of two pistols, one AK47 rifle, undisclosed number of live ammunitions, as well as some of the robbed money and meat,” explained Ledwaba.
He said police preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were traveling along Mogaladi-Phokwane Road in an Isuzu bakkie when suddenly a group of suspects driving a Dodge blocked their way.
“The suspects apparently after noticing there was an escort vehicle opened fire which resulted in a shoot-out between them and the security officers. Some of the suspects managed to get inside the delivery bakkie and drove off with the victims to the bushes where they robbed the victims undisclosed amount of money, cellphones, and some of the meat,” he said.
Ledwaba said the police swiftly responded upon receiving the report and with assistance from the tracking company, they were able to locate the victims in the bushes unharmed. He said the police also recovered the delivery bakkie, as well as some of the meat that was found scattered.
“The Provincial Tracking Team, together with the Murder and Robbery, were activated and three of the suspects were arrested at about 7pm at Apel Cross while driving in a Toyota Quantum. This commendable effort also resulted in the successful recovery of firearms believed to have been used in the commission of these crimes,” he said.
Ledwaba said the three suspects will soon appear at the Nebo Magistrate’s Court and more arrests are expected.
Ledwaba said the police are pleading to anyone with information about the remaining suspects to contact the investigating officer, Warrant Officer Phaladi Makola on 082 729 2233, or Lieutenant Colonel Richard Boshomane on 079 894 5501, the nearest police station or through the SAPS Crime Stop Number 08600 10111 or make use MySAPSapp.
