Tip-off leads to arrest of heist suspects

Nine robbery suspects were arrested in Mahikeng in North West yesterday by the tactical response team acting on a tip-off from Crime Intelligence, police said.

The suspects were in the midst of planning a cash-in-transit robbery when they were arrested.

“The tactical response team arrested nine suspects and recovered six firearms including one AK-47 rifle, handguns and an Uzi, several rounds of ammunition and four luxury vehicles, including a black Jeep, an Audi Q5, a Mercedes ML and a Ford Ranger,” police spokesperson Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo said.

The team acted on information that a group was gathered at a house in Riviera Park, Mahikeng where they were planning a heist, Naidoo said.

“While at the house arresting [the first] six suspects, four more suspects arrived,” Naidoo said.

“They [suspects] noticed the presence of the police and fled, resulting in a high-speed car chase. During the chase, police fired shots at the suspect vehicle, forcing it to a halt. Three suspects were arrested while the fourth escaped.”

The arrest came as 10 other alleged cash-in-transit robbers appeared in the Molopo Magistrate’s Court in Mmabatho yesterday to apply for bail.

Xolile Qoma, 42, Zwelebanzi Mbango, 35, Joseph Thilo, 40, Lebogang Morwe, 29, Ofentse Mokheai, 29, Mosimanegape Molefe, 39, Israel Mokaila, 32, Taka Mpofu, 35, Joel Moepeng, 42, and Monnapule Godfrey Phale, 42, had made off with an undisclosed amount of money after they allegedly bombed an armoured vehicle and disarmed the guards in Matlhonyane outside Mahikeng on September 30. – ANA