28 June 2010, 09:47
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By Graeme Hosken
Crime Reporter
A suspected bogus police officer linked to a blue light robbery gang involved in a spate of violent armed robberies across the city has been arrested.
The man, whose alleged accomplices included two Mamelodi police officers who were arrested last month, was nabbed in a luxury security estate in the Silver Lakes area on Friday.
The man, who is wanted in connection with armed robberies, hijackings, possession of unlicensed firearms and housebreaking, was caught in the same flat in the Out of Bounds security estate in which his accomplices were arrested in May.
The gang was exposed last month when police stopped a BMW in Hans Strijdom Drive after its occupants behaved suspiciously.
During a search of the vehicle it was discovered it had been fitted with blue lights. Police were led to the unit in the Out of Bounds security estate where they arrested the police members as they were loading their car with weapons and police equipment.
During the earlier arrests the Hawks and Gauteng Rapid Response Unit police recovered police equipment including uniforms, weapons, stun grenades, police vehicle number plates and vehicles fitted with blue lights.
Initial investigations showed that the gang was wanted in connection with a spate of truck hijackings and ATM bombings in Gauteng and several neighbouring provinces.
One of the five who was arrested last month was out on bail for murder while another suspect was recently released from prison after serving time for being in possession of illegal firearms.
Police sources this weekend said that after a month-long investigation they received a tip-off that other gang members were continuing to use the house as a hideout and a base from which to operate.
After staking out the house on Friday, police stormed it when the latest suspect arrived home.
During the raid police recovered two vehicles, including a BMW and a VW Kombi, which are believed to be used by the gang in their crimes.
A source said that the vehicles' engine and chassis numbers had been tampered with.
It was also believed that the vehicles had earlier been hijacked by the gang.
"We are now following up on more information to see if we can make more arrests in connection with this gang," said a police officers.
He said the suspect would appear in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court soon on charges of possession of suspected stolen vehicles and for impersonating a police officer.
This article was originally published on page 4 of The Pretoria News on June 28, 2010
The Star
Comments by Sonny
What are the true stats on stolen/missing SAPF firearms?
General Cele should be addressed in Parliament on this point!
There are too many "Bogus Cops" wearing SAPF uniformed armed with weapons of War!
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