An off-duty cop and four other men were nabbed after they were found in possession of alleged stolen vehicles and illegal firearms.
Police uncovered what appears to be a crime syndicate in Montana, Bishop Lavis while they were tracing a hijacked vehicle.
A joint operation by the Cape Town K9 Unit, the Flying Squad and Netstar Tracker company was carried out on Saturday afternoon to trace a Toyota Corolla Quest that had been hijacked in a house robbery earlier in the week.
Captain FC van Wyk says at 3.10pm, the officers approached a residence in Friesland Street and noticed a Mercedes Benz parked on the pavement and a white Nissan double cab bakkie in the street.
“Upon entering the premises, they spotted the Toyota Quest and a number of men in the yard scattered in various directions when they noticed the police,” he says.
FOUND: Toyota Corolla Quest had been hijacked last week. Photo: Piet Smith/ SAPS
Three of the men were immediately caught and found in possession of an illegal gun.
At the same time, the Nissan bakkie sped off and was pursued by the Netstar helicopter which relayed its movements to police, Van Wyk said.
Meanwhile, officers also chased a man who had fled the scene on foot and he was soon caught after he allegedly tossed a bag on the roof of an out-building on the premises.
CONFISCATED: Cops found illegal firearms. Photo: Piet Smith/ SAPS
The bag contained an illegal firearm, a 9mm Norinca pistol, while officers also found an open safe in the backyard.
“The members also searched a Toyota Hiace which was parked in front of the Quest in which they found two more firearms - an R5 and a Luger pistol.
“Further investigation revealed that the Mercedes-Benz that was parked in front of the premises was stolen during a hijacking in Lansdowne last month.”
With the guidance of the helicopter, the officers pulled the Nissan over in Valhalla Park and busted the 36-year-old driver.
SEIZED: An R5 assault rifle and a pistol found. Photo: Piet Smith/ SAPS
It was established that he was an off-duty detective driving an official police vehicle and he had an official police radio in his possession.
“Upon searching the residence in Friesland Street, the members found a banknote counting machine, pellet and toy guns, and a crowbar,” Van Wyk said.
WEAPON: Pistol and ammo. Photo: Piet Smith/ SAPS
“The arrested suspects are aged 28, 36, 47, 50, and the 36-year-old SAPS member. Various specialised SAPS units were on the scene conducting investigations.”