Reservists nab suspects
2003-10-08 21:23
Johannesburg - West Rand police praised two police reservists who arrested six men on Wednesday evening who may be linked to a spate of robberies and hijackings in Honeydew, north of Johannesburg.
Superintendent Milica Bezuidenhout said the two police reservists, Constables Wayne Coetzee and Mac Marudu, were patrolling in Weltevreden Park at about 18:45 when they saw a blue minibus several times.
Becoming suspicious, they pulled the minibus over on the corner of Jim Fouche and Cockspur Roads, and searched the occupants and the vehicle.
The seized two unlicensed pistols, with their serial numbers filed off.
Referring to the two volunteer constables, both of whom live in the Honeydew area, Bezuidenhout said: "These two guys are stars. I believe this is a major breakthrough in fighting house robberies, driveway robberies and hijackings in the Honeydew area."
A docket analysis would be carried out to see if the arrested men were linked to other crimes.
Bezuidenhout said on Wednesday evening's arrests were an example of the success of the community policing forum in Honeydew encouraging co-operation between the public and the police.
- SAPA