Johannesburg – Police on Monday arrested a suspect believed to be a mastermind behind the spate of blue lights robberies.
The suspect was found with blue lights, a traffic police uniform, a high-calibre firearm, and ammunition.
Police said the arrested mastermind was driving a car that was thought to have been hijacked.
“The suspect was arrested at his place of residence in Dawn Park, Ekurhuleni, in the early hours of Monday, (18 March 2024),” said police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo.
“National Crime Intelligence shared information about a suspect who was in possession of a suspected hijacked motor vehicle and suspected to be involved in blue light robberies on freeways.”
Lieutenant Colonel Masondo said the information was activated.
A team composed of members from different units of the South African Police Service, Gauteng Traffic Police Saturation Unit, Tracker Connect, Fidelity Specialised Services, and Cap Security Specialised Unit was established to carry out the takedown operation.
“In the early hours of Monday morning, the team pounced on the premises of the suspect in Dawn Park where they found a VW Polo that was reported to be hijacked in Phokeng, North West Province, in February this year,” said Lieutenant Colonel Masondo.
“Upon searching the suspect and premises, police found an unlicensed rifle, pistol, scores of ammunition, multiple blue lights, police uniform and insignia that belongs to Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Madibeng Traffic Police as well as false government vehicle registration plates.”
The suspect was arrested and charged with possession of unlicensed firearms, possession of hijacked motor vehicle, and possession of ammunition, amongst other charges.
The Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni has applauded the team of law enforcement agencies that worked with diligence to arrest the suspect.
“The arrest of this suspect might help us in resolving lots of cases where motorists were robbed by a gang that was utilising blue lights and impersonating police officers,” said Lieutenant General Mthombeni.
More arrests were expected, police said.
