Determination to bust gang robbing businesses

Two members of a criminal gang linked to more than 50 business robberies across Johannesburg were arrested and a crime in progress interrupted in the early hours of 18 January, following a coordinated, intelligence-led operation involving CAP and the South African Police Service (SAPS) Flying Squad. 

While the suspects were not charged, as prosecutors claimed there was insufficient evidence, CAP is working with high-level SAPS members to intervene in charging these suspects. “We and our SAPS colleagues are fully committed to ensuring the perpetrators of these crimes are brought to justice,” said Sean Jammy, CAP deputy chief executive. 

The gang has been operating across Bramley, Parkhurst, Parkwood, Savoy, Waverley, Saxonwold, Orchards, Oaklands, Orange Grove, Sydenham, Highlands North, Emmarentia, Greenside, Sandringham, and Glenhazel, many of the areas that fall within CAP’s core operational footprint. 

Jammy said they found out about the gang because CAP analysts process information from all crimes reported to them daily. When they hear about the crimes, their field collections officers attended crime scenes and assist the SAPS in collecting evidence. 

“Our analysts established that the incidents were of a similar nature and were being perpetrated by the same group or criminal crew,” Jammy said. He said the gang targeted businesses closed at night. The criminals would enter through the roof and disable the alarm systems to avoid detection. 

“The suspects are after electronics, tools, solar panels, computers, and high-value items,” he said. “Law firms, accounting firms, doctor’s rooms, and any other businesses that close at night were targets. The type of business targeted wasn’t specific because these items are available in so many different businesses.” 

CAP received information in the early hours of 18 January that the gang was intending to commit a crime in one of the CAP areas. 

CAP teams set off along with members of the SAPS Flying Squad to find the suspects. They were driving around in the Parkhurst area at about 02:00 when they noticed two suspects jumping over a wall and getting into two vehicles. The gang managed to break into one property and commit a burglary in the neighbouring property in Parkhurst. 

“The team pursued the suspects as they drove recklessly and at high speed to Hillbrow. The driver of one vehicle was apprehended, but the three other suspects fled on foot and evaded capture,” said Jammy. “The second vehicle was intercepted in Observatory. CAP teams arrested the driver and recovered suspected stolen property. Both suspects, the vehicles, and all recovered items were handed over to the SAPS and booked at the relevant police station.” 

Jammy said items stolen that night had been recovered. “These items are significant because they link the suspects to the perpetration of the crime and are also of value to the business owner who was happy to get them back,” said Jammy. 

He said CAP regularly assists the SAPS Flying Squad with crime prevention and plays a supporting role in the arrest of violent criminals. “This coordination is ongoing and part of CAP’s commitment to eradicating crime in South Africa.” 

Though only two suspects were arrested, they weren’t placed on the court role as the prosecutor ruled that there was insufficient evidence to link them to the incident. 

“While we believe that these are the correct suspects and that they are linked to the 50-plus incidents, further investigation is required to re-arrest the suspects and prosecute them,” said Jammy, “We are working with the prosecutor and the SAPS investigating officer to follow up on the outstanding investigations and leads which will hopefully lead to the re-arrest of the suspects and the arrest of the outstanding individuals.”