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Vryheid’s Kingsley Police potentially stopped a major crime in the making during a routine stop. Whereby the driver’s strange behaviour led police to search his vehicle, finding what can only be described as a “criminal starter kit”.
Newcastle SAPS Corporate Communications Officer Lizzy Arumugam, explained that the officers were driving along the P41 between Blood River and Dundee. During their routine patrol, the officers noticed a white Toyota Avanza driving with no front number plate.
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This led to the SAPS switching on their lights and pulling over the vehicle. “The driver of the Avanza exited the vehicle and came to the members and introduced himself. The members asked him for his driver’s license, but he replied that he lost it,” explained Arumugam.
The officers then checked the vehicle and noticed that the number plate on the back of the vehicle didn’t match the license disk, creating even more suspicion.
“They also noticed two African males inside the vehicle and ordered them to exit and stand next to the car,” Arumugam continued.
The police searched the driver and two occupants finding a PA62 firearm with a magazine, and one live round of ammunition, on one of the men. Arumugam then said that not only was the man not in possession of the necessary firearm licence, but when the police officers questioned him about it, he did not respond.
“The vehicle was searched in the presence of the driver, and a green backpack was found in the front of the vehicle between the two seats. When asked who the owner of the bag was, the driver said it wasn’t his,” said Arumugam.
Inside the bag, police found a green hat, tissues, a black mask, and a firearm with a brown handle covered with cello tape.
“It was a 357 Magnum CTC with 3 live rounds of ammunition and 2 empty cartridges,” stated Arumugam.
Both the driver and the suspect who was found in possession of the unlicensed firearm were placed under arrest, with the third suspect sprinting off and running into a nearby field.
With a ton of unanswered questions currently, Arumugam stressed that further police investigations are underway.
What are your thoughts on this? Do you think they already committed a crime or were about to?
Share your views in the comment section below.
