A suspected cash-in-transit robbery gang escaped arrest after police stormed a house in Daveyton on Wednesday evening.

The intelligence-driven operation was conducted jointly by the South African Police Service and the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department.

National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said officers acted on information linked to an ongoing investigation.

The group is believed to be connected to several serious and violent crimes across Gauteng.

However, the suspects fled before police arrived at the property on the East Rand.

Firearms and hijacked BMW seized

Police searched the house and recovered seven rifles and one pistol.

Officers also found reflector jackets and a hijacked BMW X5 at the premises.

“Upon searching the premises, police recovered seven rifles, one pistol, reflector jackets and a hijacked BMW X5,” Mathe said.

The items will form part of the continuing investigation into the suspected gang and its alleged activities.

Police did not confirm whether the recovered firearms had previously been used in any crimes.

Overnight manhunt launched

Mathe said police launched an overnight search for the suspects after they managed to evade arrest.

“An overnight manhunt is currently under way to trace and arrest the known suspects who managed to evade arrest,” she said.

Investigators are continuing to follow leads as efforts to locate the group intensify.

Police said more arrests were expected as the operation continued.

Police warn organised gangs

Acting national police commissioner Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane praised the agencies involved in the raid.

She said the operation showed that police remained committed to fighting cash-in-transit robberies and other violent crimes.

“We have made significant inroads in dismantling CIT syndicates, and we will continue to deal decisively with those who terrorise our communities,” Dimpane said.

She warned that cash-in-transit robberies were highly organised and violent crimes requiring a coordinated law enforcement response.

Dimpane said police intelligence capabilities were improving and that investigators were closing in on those responsible.

“We will hunt them down, arrest them and ensure they face the full might of the law,” she said.