POLICE were instrumental in foiling a planned armed robbery in Steynsburg yesterday afternoon with confirmation that links to a syndicate in Komani are under investigation.
Police spokeswoman Captain Ursula Roelofse said a combined intelligence driven operation of the Crime Intelligence in Komani, the Crime Intelligence Unit of Aliwal North, the Operational Command Centre, the K9 unit and the detectives of Steynsburg foiled a planned armed robbery in the town and arrested six suspects.
The suspects include a 43-year-old woman and five men aged between 29 and 34.
Roelofse said SAPS members had followed up on information about a planned armed robbery and at about 4pm yesterday the suspects were taken into custody on a road outside Steynsburg.
“It is alleged that the syndicate from Komani and East London was being followed by the SAPS and investigated and may also soon be linked to other carjacking and armed robbery cases.”
Twwo vehicles – a Chev Aveo and VW Golf – and two 9 mm pistols with ammunition were seized during the operation and have allegedly been traced back to Komani.
The suspects are in custody and will appear in court on Monday on charges of possession of unlicensed fire-arms.
Police have indicated that other charges will be added as the investigation continues.
The Aliwal North Cluster Commander Brigadier Xakavu commended the combined forces on the success, which, he said was in line with the “Back To Basics “ priority of actionable crime intelligence used proactively in the prevention and investigation of crime.
“Criminals might target the small rural towns for their planned actions but they forget that here the police is still a professional force to be reckoned with and not to be under estimated.”
