Teenager arrested with stolen police firearm

GQEBERHA - Whenever information on crime and criminals are provided to the police, such information, whether it be trivial or irrelevant, will be immediately followed up and in many cases, the information leads to a positive arrest or recovery or both.

On Tuesday, 10 January 2023 at about 10:00, Nelson Mandela Bay District Crime Combatting Unit members received and followed on information of a suspect in possession of a stolen police firearm. The 19-year-old teenage suspect was found in the bedroom of a house in Ceshu Street in Kwanobuhle. A 9mm Z88 pistol, three rounds of ammunition and three used 9mm and R1 rifle projectiles were found in his possession.

The firearm was reported stolen in a housebreaking at a police officer’s home in December 2022 in Kwanobuhle. Further investigation by the members resulted in the recovery of a police radio as well as other property belonging to the police officer. These stolen items were found in a bag at the suspect’s house in Ndenzeni Street.

He is detained on charges of illegal possession of a firearm, illegal possession of ammunition and possession of suspected stolen property.

Detectives are busy establishing the teenager’s involvement in the housebreaking. Additional charges may be added as the investigation unfolds.

The teenager is expected to appear in the Kwanobuhle Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 12 January 2023.

Source: South African Police Service