On Thursday night, in a highly coordinated and multidisciplinary operation, two suspected vehicle syndicate thieves were apprehended in Naturena, south of Johannesburg. The operation involved various law enforcement agencies and resulted in the recovery of stolen vehicles and the seizure of implements used in vehicle theft.
The operation was initiated based on intelligence information received by the authorities. A team comprising of the Hawks’ Tactical Operations Management Section, Gauteng Traffic’s Saturation Unit, SAPS Ekurhuleni Tactical team, SAPS Johannesburg K9, SAPS Gauteng Province Serious and Violent Crimes unit, SAPS Gauteng Province Crime Intelligence, CAP Specialised Operations, Tracker Connect, and ICB Insurance Crime Bureau worked together to operationalize the information.
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According to the intelligence, a specific vehicle linked to the syndicate was observed leaving residential premises in Naturena. The law enforcement team tactically contained the vehicle and arrested two suspects. During the arrest, electronic devices used in vehicle theft and three military-grade signal jammers were recovered.
Further investigation of one of the suspect’s vehicles, a grey Mazda CX-5, revealed that it was reported stolen in Sandton. The team proceeded to search the premises from where the suspects came and made two more significant discoveries. They found a white Mazda CX-5, reported stolen in Parkview, and a grey Honda Civic, reported stolen in Alberton.
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Inside the premises, the authorities also found vehicle VIN labels, multiple false registration plates, vehicle registration papers, a device used to start vehicles without tampering with their electronics, gloves, and cellphones. These findings indicate that the suspects were part of a syndicate targeting high-end motor vehicles, particularly SUVs, in and around Gauteng Province.
The two suspects will appear in the Booysens Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 2 October. They face charges of possession of stolen motor vehicles, possession of signal jamming devices, and possession of vehicle break-in tools.
