Cape Town - Police in Cape Town arrested nine suspected car hijackers and recovered an illegal firearm and an undisclosed amount of money on Sunday, Western Cape police said.
"Members from the flying squad and the K9 unit were ensuring that the festive season is safe and followed up on information about a hijacked VW Golf 7 in a Kuils River case," Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana said.
The officers spotted the car in Claremont Main Road and noticed that a silver VW Golf 7 appeared to be travelling together with the hijacked car. Officers of the K9 unit pulled over the hijacked car and arrested four suspects aged between 24 and 26, she said.
The flying squad members followed the silver Golf 7 and pulled it over in Duinefontein Road, Manenberg.
Picture: SAPS
"Two occupants jumped out of the vehicle in their efforts to evade arrest. The one suspect attempted to shoot at the police and when police retaliated the suspect was wounded in his leg."
Five suspects aged between 32 and 35 were arrested. Once charged, the arrested men would appear in the Athlone Magistrate's Court.
"An unlicensed firearm and an undisclosed amount of money, as well as the vehicle were confiscated in the second incident. Police management are warning criminals that SAPS [South African Police Service] members are out there and ready to serve and protect the communities of the Western Cape and will not be deterred," Rwexana said.