17 arrested by police in crime blitz

POLICE confiscated an unlicensed firearm and ammunition after they came under fire in Strand.

Police were conducting patrol duties when they followed a red Toyota Tazz after the driver skipped a red traffic light on the corner of Onverwacht Road and Mechael Street in Strand.

As police approached the vehicle, two suspects sitting at the back jumped out and ran, while firing shots at the police. No injuries were sustained. Police searched the vehicle and found an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

Two suspects aged 32 and 38 were arrested and are expected to appear in the Strand Magistrate’s Court, once charged.

Police from the Provincial Intervention Unit responded to a complaint of hijacking in Browns Farm, Nyanga. On arrival in Nyanga, they followed leads and arrested four suspects between the ages of 27 and 33 for possession of a hijacked vehicle, a Hyundai Accent.

Police also seized a firearm with three rounds of live ammunition.

City law enforcement officers arrested five suspects in the Muizenberg and Steenberg areas for possession of Mandrax.

Yesterday morning, officers in the Tokai area recovered a stolen vehicle and arrested four suspects.

Two suspects were also arrested at Kirstenhof after being found in possession of tools used by the notorious crowbar gangs.