Eight Joburg 'chop-shop' accused arrested

Eight men have been arrested in and around Johannesburg for being part of a chop-shop syndicate, Gauteng police said on Sunday.

   

"A car was hijacked on Thursday in Dobsonville [Soweto] and on Saturday police got information of people stripping the car in Protea Glen," said Warrant Officer Kay Makhubela.

   

"The police went to the site and arrested two suspects, aged 28 and 32, stripping the car during early Saturday morning."

   

The police were then led to two other men, who bought parts from the two arrested men. The buyers were arrested.

   

The buyers led the police to a workshop in central Johannesburg, where they sold the parts, and where the police arrested another two men for possession of stolen property.

   

Two others were also arrested in Soweto for their involvement.

   

All eight were expected to appear in court on Monday: six of them in the Protea Glen Magistrate's Court, and two in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court.

   

-Sapa