PRETORIA – A joint Pretoria police-security intelligence operation into an armed robbery of a fuel station has led to the arrest of four suspects and the recovery of crucial incriminating evidence.

Spokesperson for Gauteng police, Captain Tintswalo Sibeko, said the suspects, aged between 27 and 35, were arrested shortly after a business robbery of a petrol station in Pretoria North during the early hours of yesterday. She said police worked with private security officers in tracing and arresting the armed robbers.

Sibeko said incriminating evidence includes a rifle reported stolen in Booysens in 2024, an ATM, a drop safe, and two vehicles used in the commission of the business robbery. She said the suspects were nabbed in Soshanguve Extension 20 during follow up after police responded to reports of gunshots in the area.

“The Soshanguve police and private security officers recovered a white Ford Ranger, and a white Suzuki allegedly used in the robbery, an ATM, a drop safe, tools, stolen stock, and an undisclosed amount of money. A rifle reported stolen in Booysens in January 2024 was also recovered along with ammunition. The suspects allegedly robbed the petrol station and loaded the ATM and drop safe onto the Ford Ranger before fleeing the scene. Multiple shots were reportedly fired during the incident,” said Sibeko. She said no one was injured during the robbery and the tracing of the suspects.

Sibeko said the suspects will appear before the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court soon, facing multiple charges. Charges include business robbery, attempted murder, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, and possession of suspected stolen property. Sibeko said the recovered firearm will undergo ballistic testing to determine whether it was linked to the commission of other crimes, and the suspects are also being investigated as part of the ongoing investigations.

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