Fingerprint device bears fruits
2003-12-24 14:25
Johannesburg - The new "morpho-touch" mobile fingerprint devices have helped police to arrest 24 suspects in an operation at Beitbridge in Limpopo province, police reported on Wednesday.
The suspects have been positively linked to crimes such as cash in transit heists, housebreaking and fraud, said Senior Superintendent Motlafela Mojapelo.
They were arrested at road blocks when identified by the morpho machines, which can tell within 10 seconds whether a person is wanted by police anywhere in South Africa or abroad.
Mojapelo said similar operations were occurring at all the country's major borders, and thousands of people had already gone through the system.
"We believe that a clear message has been sent that no individual may commit a crime and simply hope to get away with it", he said.
- SAPA