Swift police response leads to recovery of stolen vehicle and unlicensed firearm with ammunition in Heidelberg

The vigilance of police members deployed to conduct crime combatting duties at Heidelberg (WC) and their swift response to information led to the recovery of a stolen motor vehicle and the confiscation of an unlicensed firearm with ammunition in the Garden Route District.

On Wednesday, 14 August 2024, the team responded to information received of a silver VW Polo with a GP-registration plate which was flagged as stolen. The members strategically deployed themselves along the N2 at the entrance to the town where they pulled over the vehicle and proceeded with a search during which they found a pistol with two rounds of ammunition under the centre console of the vehicle. While inspecting the vehicle, traffic officials noted that the licence disk was tempered with. The driver and his two passengers were unable to account for their possession of the items or produce any legitimate documents. Police subsequently seized the vehicle and confiscated the firearm with ammunition.

The trio, aged between 31 and 50, are expected to make their first court appearance in the Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 16 August 2024 on charges of possession of stolen property, unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition and fraud.

Preliminary investigation reveals that vehicle was reported as stolen at Boksburg earlier this month.

The driver is also facing an additional charge of driving motor vehicle whilst under the influence of liquor.

The Provincial Commissioner of the Western Cape, Lieutenant General (Adv) Thembisile Patekile, commended all involved for their vigilance to ensure that the stolen vehicle was recovered. “These arrests and confiscation is evident of the importance of community involvement and effective partnerships in the fight against crime. The cooperation between law-enforcement officials and the community is applauded. The strategic deployment of our resources to curb the influx of illegal firearms and stolen goods into the region are paying dividends”, Lt Gen Patekile concluded.