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The City’s law enforcement agencies rounded up about 150 suspects over the past weekend on a range of charges including possession of illegal firearms, possession of drugs and drunk driving.
On Sunday 12 August the City’s Metro Police Department made two significant arrests in Hanover Park.
Just before 21:30 on Sunday 12 August, Metro Police officers on patrol spotted a man loitering in the area.
On spotting the officers, the man fled and the officers gave chase.
During the pursuit, the suspect dropped what was later identified as a firearm.
The suspect is described as a 33-year-old man, who has apparent gang affiliations. He was arrested and detained at Philippi Police Station.
Metro Police officers retrieved a 9mm pistol with the serial number filed off, along with four rounds of ammunition.
Hours earlier, the City’s Metro Police Gang and Drug Task Team arrested a 41-year-old male for possession of high-grade dagga, with an estimated street value of R200 000.
The suspect’s car collided with a Metro Police vehicle at a local garage and he then made a run for it.
Two packets of compressed dagga were found in his vehicle.
Later at his home, officers found two large bags and seven smaller bags of the same dagga.
The suspect was then taken to Philippi Police Station for processing.
Prior to the arrests, several other suspects were arrested for the possession of drugs during operations and patrols. Many of these arrests were made as a result of public tip-offs received.
“We have seen a steady increase in the number of tip-offs from the public that have resulted in good arrests. Our enforcement agencies’ jobs are made easier because of the willingness of some community members to put their hand up and participate in the fight against crime, and I commend these residents. While visible policing is a deterrent, visible policing with intent and driven by intelligence is far more effective. So I appeal to the public to continue assisting us in bringing criminals to book by blowing the whistle on illicit activities,” says the City’s Mayco member for safety, security and social services, JP Smith.
Metro Police officers arrested 51 motorists for driving under the influence of alcohol during roadblocks. Traffic Services caught 61 motorists for the same offence.
Seventeen arrests were made for reckless and negligent driving. One out of the 17 motorists was found to be in possession of dagga.
“Alcohol affects a person’s information processing skills and slows down the normal brain function. When drivers consume alcohol, it greatly increases the risk of collisions and harm to themselves, but also to other road users. It is therefore extremely disconcerting to find so many people still drinking and driving. What is even more concerning is just how drunk people are when they are caught. The blood alcohol readings are shocking at times and it beggars belief that people would even consider driving in that state, but more importantly that others would allow them to get behind the wheel,” adds Smith.
