Durban - Police in KwaZulu-Natal wounded two suspects in a shoot-out following a house robbery in Pinetown near Durban on Thursday.
Police spokesperson Colonel Jay Naicker said: “This morning at 6am, the SAPS K9 Unit arrested two men aged 35 and 40 for attempted murder, house robbery and possession of suspected stolen property. This occurred after police were alerted to a robbery on a house between Henwood and Pineside Roads in Pinetown. Four suspects allegedly stormed into the house and robbed the occupants of computer equipment and personal items before fleeing in their getaway vehicle.
“Police responding to the incident confronted the suspects on the M19 highway near Pinetown and the suspects opened fire on police. Police retaliated and during the chase the suspects lost control of their vehicle and crashed. They fled into the bushes and police with their canines colleagues pursued them. Two of the suspects who had sustained gunshots wounds and were apprehended by police.
“Police recovered the stolen items and housebreaking equipment. The police seized the suspect’s vehicle after it was discovered that it was stolen. Both the arrested suspects were taken to hospital for medical attention and are under police guard. They will be charged and will appear in Pinetown Magistrates Court as soon as they are released from hospital.”
A manhunt was underway for the two outstanding suspects.
KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni said: “I am happy that police officers escaped unharmed and that we managed to apprehend the criminals. An investigation is underway to determine if they can be linked to other house robbery and housebreaking cases in the area. We are confident that the suspects who fled will be arrested soon.”
The incident was the second shoot-out between police and armed criminals in KwaZulu-Natal in two days.
On Wednesday, two suspects were arrested and face charges of attempted murder after a group of armed suspects opened fire on a police patrol in KwaMakhuta.
Naicker said that members of the Brighton Beach Task Team and KwaMakhutha SAPS had approached a vehicle with five occupants in the KwaMakhuta area when the suspects spotted police they open fire on police and fled.
Two of the suspects were apprehended after a car chase during which police returned fire. Three suspects were still on the loose.
“A 9mm pistol and five cellphones were found in the suspects possession,” Naicker said. “A case of attempted murder and possession of unlicensed firearm were opened at the KwaMakhutha police station. The suspects aged 18 and 24 are expected to appear in the Mbumbululu Magistrates court soon on charges of attempted murder and possession of unlicensed firearm.”
ANA