Cloetesville and Maitland police arrest suspects in firearm and hijacking incidents

Cloetesville and Maitland police have arrested suspects over illegal firearms and the hijacking of a car. File Picture

Cloetesville and Maitland police have arrested suspects over illegal firearms and the hijacking of a car. File Picture

Published Aug 8, 2024

Share

Efforts to eliminate illegal firearm possession in our communities have yielded positive results, with Cloetesville SAPS and the Maitland Flying Squad arresting three suspects for possessing unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

On Wednesday, August 7, at approximately 8.50am, officers acted on a tip-off from a member of the public regarding a firearm at a residence on Hoek street, Cloetesville.

Acting swiftly, officers searched the premises and discovered a .38 Special revolver and ammunition hidden under a couch.

A 35-year-old man was arrested for possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. He is set to appear in the Stellenbosch Magistrate’s Court, once charged.

In a separate incident, on Wednesday, August 7, just after midnight, officers from the Maitland Flying Squad responded to a report of a hijacked white Toyota Yaris.

On route to the scene, they spotted the vehicle on Nkani Street. The officers pursued the vehicle until Fukuse street in Wallacedene, where they fired two warning shots to bring the the vehicle to a halt.

No one was injured, but the two adult male occupants were arrested for illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, possession of a hijacked vehicle, and possession of a stolen cellphone. They will appear in the Blue Downs Magistrate’s Court.

IOL News