Johannesburg - A shootout between suspected armed robbers and police officers left a trail of destruction and brought traffic to a standstill on Rivonia Road in Sandton on Tuesday.
One suspect was fatally shot, two others sustained injuries from multiple gunshot wounds and a police officer was injured during the chase and subsequent shootout.
Gauteng police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Lungelo Dlamini said the chase started around 1pm on Tuesday when police spotted a car on Rivonia Road and Kelvin Drive that had earlier been involved in an armed robbery in Sandton City.
“When (the police officer) tried to stop the vehicle, it sped off and collided with several vehicles until the driver lost control. One of the suspects fired shots at the police, while three others jumped out and ran away.
“A shootout ensued and one suspect was fatally wounded, two others were shot and wounded and one was arrested without any injury.
“A police officer was also shot and wounded in the abdomen and has been taken to Sunninghill Clinic in a stable condition,” Dlamini said.
ER24 spokesman Werner Vermaak said paramedics attended to two of the three motorists whose cars were damaged during the chase.
He said both motorists had been travelling alone and they sustained minor injuries.
One of them, a pregnant woman, was taken to hospital as a precaution.
Dlamini said an inquest docket had been opened for the suspect who was shot dead.
“The three other suspects will be charged with attempted murder, and possession of unlicensed firearms as well as suspected stolen property,” he said.
Dlamini said an Avis employee was robbed of jewellery, cellphones and cash during the robbery to which the suspects are linked.
“Police are also investigating a possibility that the suspects have been involved in a spate of robberies around the Sandton area.”
The Star