POLOKWANE – The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo, Major General Jan Petrus Scheepers, has highly commended members of Crime Intelligence and the Tactical Response Team (TRT) Unit, for successfully foiling an Armed Robbery that was to take place yesterday 03 June 2020, at the Post Office which is used as Social grant pay point at Atok in Apel policing area.
Members received information about a possible robbery at Atok in Bogalatladi area and immediately conducted a snap operation with the help of a police helicopter. A suspicious vehicle, (Ford Ranger) with three (03) occupants was spotted along the D4180 road between Atok and gaSelepe. Soon after stopping, the driver suddenly got out and allegedly pointed the members with a firearm. The suspect was then shot and the firearm taken. He was taken to hospital where he was admitted under police guard.
Another vehicle, a Toyota Quantum with five (05) occupants was spotted along the D4190 in the Atok area and the driver was also ordered to stop. When searching the vehicle, the police found a firearm hidden inside and all five suspects were apprehended.
The suspects, aged between 24 and 40 will appear in Sekhukhune Magistrate’s court on Friday 05 June 2020, facing a charge of Conspiracy to commit armed robbery and possession of illegal firearms and ammunition.
Meanwhile in Seshego, the police have launched a manhunt for unknown suspects who this morning, 04 June 2020 stormed into the Post Office in Seshego Zone 4 and robbed an undisclosed amount of cash.
It is alleged that four (04) suspects armed with firearms entered the Post Office where Social grants were being paid out and demanded money from the Tellers. The suspects also managed to overpower the security official on duty and wrestled away his service pistol. They then fled from the scene after taking the money.
“It is now becoming clear that our Post Offices are beginning to be targets of armed robbers and as the police, we will intensify our operations around all affected areas. I urge all relevant stakeholders to closely work with us to stop these criminals in their tracks,” concluded General Scheepers.
Anyone with information is requested to contact Colonel Mohale at 0714972329 or the Crime Stop number 0860010111.
Source: South African Police Service