Although the recovery of illegal firearms from the streets of Cape Town still remains a thorn in the backside for the South African Police Service, officers have yielded success in various operations around the city.
The latest success comes after police members received information about an armed suspect who was sitting in a vehicle outside the police station in Atlantis.
According to a police statement, when the members moved to the outer perimeter of the police station, they spotted the man that fitted the description and without hesitation, police searched the vehicle and found a loaded pistol in his possession.
#sapsWC Swift police action led to recovery of firrearms in Atlantis and Mitchells Plain respectively, 2 suspects aged 20 and 40 arrested, firearms and ammo seized. #GunsOffTheStreets MEhttps://t.co/DwSdPmssKm pic.twitter.com/F5HYQTd6J1
— SA Police Service ?? (@SAPoliceService) June 26, 2021
Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi indicated the suspect was unable to produce a valid licence to be in possession of such a firearm. “The 20-year-old man was arrested and detained. Once charged he is expected to make a court appearance in the Atlantis Magistrate’s Court on a charge of possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition,” Swartbooi said.
Meanwhile, in an unrelated incident, the Mitchells Plain Crime Prevention Unit was conducting routine patrols near Blockhouse Street on Friday, June 25, when they noticed a suspicious, known person of interest.
Driven by instinct, police officers approached the suspect to search him, this is when he took out a firearm and shot at them, fleeing the scene.
Officers then fired back, wounding the 40-year-old man who was then apprehended and a 9mm pistol was seized. Once charged the suspect is expected to make a court appearance in the Mitchells Plain Magistrate’s Court on charges of attempted murder and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
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Picture: Cape {town} etc gallery