11 nabbed after gem robbery

Three vehicles, a cellphone jammer and firearms, including a rifle and two pistols, were seized and 11 suspects arrested last night in Bryanston following a robbery and a shootout.

Police received intelligence about a planned robbery at an apparent diamond trading business and put a sting operation in place.

The South African Police Service (Saps) confirmed two Saps members were among those arrested.

The heavily armed robbers were initially said to have barricaded themselves in a business park on Culross Road after being cornered by police and security guards.

“A multi-disciplinary team in Gauteng, comprising members from National Crime Intelligence, Provincial Specific Crime, Fidelity Specific Services, CAP Security Services, Johannesburg Flying Squad, K9 Unit, Johannesburg Metro Police, Tactical Response Team and Special Task Force, received operationalised information regarding a planned business robbery at a Bryanston diamond outlet by holding an observation far from the targeted place from midday,” said Saps in a statement.

The suspects got out of their vehicles, the police approached them and they opened fire.

The Saps members returned fire and subsequently arrested the suspects, two of whom had gunshot wounds.

None of the Saps team members were injured in the shootout, but three police vehicles were riddled with bullet holes.

The suspects will appear in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court tomorrow.

They will face charges of conspiracy to commit robbery, attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, possession of suspected stolen vehicles and driving a vehicle without the owner’s consent.

Additionally, the arrested police members – a detective sergeant who is stationed in Kempton Park, and an administration clerk from Springs Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit –, will be subjected to a departmental disciplinary investigation.

All the unlicensed firearms confiscated will be taken for ballistic testing to determine whether they have been used to commit other crimes.