Shooting: 5 robbery suspects caught

Published May 7, 2012

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Five suspected house robbers aged between 23 and 35 were arrested in Pretoria after a shoot-out with police and a car tracking company.

It is alleged the suspects were returning from a house robbery in Hartbeespoort, west of Pretoria, at about 10pm on Friday when members of the Hawks, Brooklyn police and Tracker arrested them for possession of unlicensed firearms.

Police were following up information which led them to a Mini Cooper with two occupants, and a Ford Focus with three occupants.

Police spokeswoman Captain Pinky Tsinyane said police signalled for them to stop, but the suspects refused. “They started shooting at the police. The shooting continued and Tracker members joined in to help. The two vehicles were cornered in the undercover parking of the Nedbank Plaza in Arcadia.”

As the suspects tried to make a run for it, two occupants of the Ford Focus were injured and another suspect was run over by the car when they tried to abandon it. “All the suspects were arrested. The injured suspects were taken to hospital.”

While searching the vehicles, police recovered two firearms, a 9mm pistol and a revolver, two hand-held radios, four gate remote controls, four crowbars of different sizes, screwdrivers of different sizes, one laptop, an undisclosed amount of money, and cell-phones. There were also bolt cutters and TV remotes.

“The two vehicles were confiscated as it is suspected that both were used in committing a business robbery in Pretoria East.”

Meanwhile, Sharpeville police arrested two suspects for possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition after a shoot-out.

It is alleged that a suspicious-looking Jetta was spotted driving around Sharpeville.

Police tried to stop it but the driver refused.

Officers driving an unmarked vehicle put on their blue light indicating to the driver to stop.

“But the occupants started shooting at police.

“A chase ensued until the suspects lost control of the vehicle.

“One suspect escaped, while two were arrested,” said Tsinyane.

Police found two firearms (magnums) while searching the vehicles. The vehicles were also impounded.

There is a manhunt for the third suspect. Anyone with information can telephone Captain Motswi at 016 451 2717 or 071 606 3822

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[email protected]

Pretoria News

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