A police operation in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, led to the arrest of a 19-year-old suspect and the recovery of two firearms and ammunition. The incident began on Saturday night, September 19, at about 10 pm when police received information about armed suspects in a maroon Isuzu bakkie in New Brighton. Members of the Gqeberha Flying Squad responded to the information and spotted the vehicle with about four occupants on Mama Street.
The suspects allegedly stopped when police approached, got out of the vehicle, and opened fire at the officers before fleeing in different directions. A SAPS member returned fire at the intersection of Avenue B and Mama Street. One suspect was apprehended after allegedly dropping a firearm while attempting to flee. A second firearm was recovered from the backyard of a nearby house, where another suspect had allegedly run. Fortunately, no police officers were injured during the incident.
Preliminary investigations linked the suspects to a robbery at a church on Stofile Street, New Brighton. Church personnel who were preparing for the Sunday service were allegedly robbed of an undisclosed amount of cash and cellphones. The suspects then fled from the church in the maroon Isuzu bakkie. Police recovered the bakkie, various catering equipment and tools, as well as two cellphones, during the operation.
The recovered firearms included a black 9mm Taurus firearm with its serial number filed off, a magazine, and two live 9mm rounds. A second firearm, described as a black-and-brown 7.65mm firearm, was also recovered along with its magazine and two live rounds. The arrested 19-year-old faces several charges, including attack on police, attempted murder, and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
The suspect is expected to appear in the New Brighton Magistrate’s Court during the week. The charges against him include possession of prohibited firearms, business robbery, armed robbery, and hijacking. The investigation is continuing, with police pursuing the outstanding suspects.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) was also notified of the incident. The police operation was carried out by members of the Gqeberha Flying Squad, who responded quickly to the information about the armed suspects. The provincial commissioner’s office provided details of the incident.
The police are still searching for the remaining suspects involved in the church robbery and the attempted murder of police officers. The recovered items and the arrested suspect are significant breakthroughs in the case. The police investigation is ongoing.
Key points
- A 19-year-old suspect was arrested in connection with a church robbery and the recovery of two firearms.
- The incident occurred in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, on Saturday night, September 19.
- The suspect faces multiple charges, including attack on police, attempted murder, and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
