JOHANNESBURG, March 3 (Xinhua) -- A notorious serial robber allegedly linked to 42 cases of armed robbery was arrested near Johannesburg over the weekend, local media reported on Tuesday.

According to the South African Government News Agency, the 64-year-old suspect was apprehended on Saturday, hours after he and his accomplices robbed three senior police officials from another African country.

Citing the police, the agency reported that the victims were intercepted along the R24 highway en route to OR Tambo International Airport by assailants traveling in a silver Suzuki vehicle. The suspects, posing as police officers, robbed the officials of cash, wristwatches and mobile phones.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) traced the vehicle hours later and apprehended the man.

SAPS said in a statement that the car had been used repeatedly in criminal activities in areas surrounding the airport, particularly along the R24 highway.

"During the investigation, police found that the suspect is linked to 42 other cases where he was arrested and charged with armed robbery, possession of an unlicensed firearm, fraud and impersonating a police officer," the police said, adding that these cases date as far back as 1998.

A manhunt is underway for three additional suspects believed to have been involved in the weekend robbery, the police added. ■