Police hunt residents who aided gangster
POLICE are on the hunt for more than 30 Matroos Plein, Kensington, residents who participated in the aiding and abetting of a suspect known to be a gang member in the community who had been apprehended by police for the possession of an illegal firearm.
Police spokesperson FC van Wyk said: “On Saturday, May 1, at about 3.30am, police saw a known gang member walking with an exposed firearm in Matroos Plein, Kensington.
“The well-known suspect was apprehended and the firearm confiscated. However, the suspect started calling out for help, and about 30 members of the community came out of their homes and threatened to shoot the police members if the suspect is not released.
“The community members began throwing stones at police and the vehicles, thereby aiding and abetting the gunman to escape. The vehicles were slightly damaged. Violent crimes in the area, as well as attacks on police, are becoming a common occurrence of grave concern to police management.
“Anyone with information on the identity of the community members who participated in aiding and abetting the suspect, as well as his whereabouts, is requested to contact police.”
Meanwhile, eight men are due in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court today on charges of possession of imitation firearms used in the execution of a crime. According to a police report, the suspects, aged between 25 and 32, were arrested a day after a business robbery in Constantia on Friday morning.
In Parklands, police arrested two suspects for possession of mandrax tablets and attempting to bribe a policeman.
The Breede River K-9 explosives dog unit was instrumental in recovering a cache of hidden hunting rifles and items stolen in a burglary on a farm in Worcester yesterday morning.
Police spokesperson Novela Potelwa said police, helped by the area’s K-9 unit recovered three hunting rifles, 15 rounds of ammunition, a tag light and laptop concealed under a pile of leaves.
Six suspects are due in a Moorreesburg court today for allegedly stealing five cellphone tower batteries along the R311 towards Riebeeck West.