Cloned cop car and weapons recovered, suspect in custody

By Everson Luhanga

A 44-year-old suspect has been arrested in Walkerville, Sedibeng District, following the discovery of a vehicle, repainted and branded to resemble a police car, on a property.

Gauteng provincial police spokesperson Colonel Noxolo Kweza reported that the police recovered a cloned Volkswagen Golf marked with police registration plates and call signs. The Golf looked identical to a genuine police vehicle.

Officials also recovered a white VW Polo equipped with blue lights and sirens, a stolen R5 rifle, and police reflector jackets.

An intelligence-driven operation led Johannesburg Crime Intelligence and Soweto K9 unit members to recover a number of items.

“Several SAPS number plates were also found. The suspect may be linked to robberies in Gauteng,” Kweza said.

She added that police believe these vehicles were used in truck hijackings and courier vehicle robberies. The suspect is expected to appear in court soon.

Further arrests are possible as the investigation continues. Contact Colonel Noxolo Kweza at 082 300 0531 with any information that may help the investigation.

Pictured above: The cloned police vehicle and some of the counterfeit plates.

Source: SAPS