Arrest after death in gang crossfire
One of the suspected gangsters who allegedly shot dead a woman walking home after a church service in Helenvale just more than a week ago has been arrested.
The arrest comes only hours after police minister Bheki Cele and national police commissioner Khehla Sithole visited Port Elizabeth’s northern areas.
The arrest is linked to the murder of Karin Crafford, 38, who was hit by a stray bullet while walking home in Gail Road after attending a church service on November 30.
Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu said Crafford was caught in the crossfire of two rival gangs.
Naidu said Crafford was killed when members of the Nice Time Boys gang fired shots from Voisin Road at their rival Nice Time Kids gang who were in Kobus Road.
“The gangs then retaliated and several shots were fired between both groups,” she said.
On Monday night, a 22year-old man – who is believed to be a member of the Nice Time Boys – was arrested at a house in Kobus Road for Crafford’s murder.
In a further arrest, also on Monday night, another 22year-old, believed to be a member of the Upstand Dogs, was arrested for the murder of Marlin Koopman, 43, who was found lying dead in Rensburg Street in Bethelsdorp on November 20 after being shot multiple times.
Naidu said the arrests were made after evidence tied the suspects to the crime scenes.
She said that since December 3, 12 suspected gang members had been arrested for crimes ranging from murder to attempted murder, illegal possession of firearms, theft of a vehicle and hijacking.
Since last week, the National Intervention Team and other specialist units have been deployed to the northern areas.
The are due to remain in high crime areas for the next three months as the police work to form an official AntiGang Unit.
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