Everson Luhanga
Hillbrow police intercepted seven armed suspects on Tuesday after receiving information that the gang was on its way to rob a supermarket.
Among the suspects is a teenager aged 19 with the rest of the suspects aged between 20 and 39.
Hillbrow police spokesperson Sergeant Mduduzi Zondo said the suspects had parked a quantum minibus taxi on one of the streets in Hillbrow and were planning to raid a nearby supermarket.
“Police received a piece of intelligence-driven information about the suspects planning to rob a
supermarket in the Johannesburg CBD,” Zondo told Scrolla.Africa.
“Officers observed the vehicle that matched the description of the one being used by the suspects,” he said.
He said when the suspects drove off, the police swiftly moved and intercepted them.
“One of the suspects sitting in the front seat jumped out of the vehicle and ran on foot.”
But all seven occupants were arrested and taken to the Hillbrow police station where they were charged with conspiracy to commit robbery, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
Zondo said two of the suspects are based in Katlehong, Ekurhuleni and the rest reside around the Johannesburg city centre.
“Most of them stay at one of the troubled buildings in Berea. The building is known for harbouring dangerous criminals,” he said.
He said the suspects will be profiled to see if they are connected to other crimes.
“Police found two firearms, one of which had its file number scratched off. The other gun still has the file number.”
Zondo said all the suspects will appear in the Johannesburg Regional Court on Thursday.
Image source:EWN
