Hijacking suspects shot and killed, another two arrested after police act on tip-off
They drove recklessly and into oncoming traffic, and fired shots at law enforcement officers who responded, fatally wounding both vehicle occupants.
Two hijacking suspects were shot and killed and another two arrested by SAPS Gauteng Serious and Violent Crimes Unit following a hijacking in Edenvale this morning, November 1.
Officers were acting on information received.
Law enforcement and security companies reacted to two crime scenes.
The first was located at the intersection of Van Riebeeck Avenue and De Wet Street and the second was on Parkway Street near the Modderfontein Road intersection.
Two of the four suspects, one of whom was injured, were arrested on Van Riebeeck Avenue.
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The other two suspects were fatally wounded in Modderfontein.
Law enforcement and security companies at the Parkway Street near the Modderfontein Road intersection.Edenvale Police Station’s communication officer Warrant Officer Jacob Mashile said the task team had initially received information that the suspects may commit a crime in Edenvale today.
While the officers were following up on the information, it is believed they hijacked a woman on Fourteenth Avenue.
“The suspects noticed that the police were following them and started shooting at them. Officers retaliated,” said Mashile.
The pursuit came to an end when the suspect’s Toyota and an SUV collided at the intersection of Van Riebeeck Avenue and De Wet Street.
Mashile said one of the suspects was injured while officers attempted to arrest him.
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Sebenza Police Station’s communication officer Sergeant Sharron Tsotsotso confirmed the task team was alerted to the suspects’ vehicle location through a licence plate recognition (LPR) camera system.
This led to the police following the suspects.
Tsotsotso said two suspects hijacked a victim of her Mercedes in Edenvale and fled the scene. The other two suspects remained in the Toyota, which was originally flagged by the LPR system.
“The suspect in the Mercedes drove recklessly and into oncoming traffic,” said Tsotsotso.
“The passenger shot at pursuing law enforcement officers. The police responded, fatally wounding both vehicle occupants,” she said.
Tsotsotso said two handguns were recovered at the scene.
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“We are yet to determine if they are illegal firearms but one of them had its serial number filed off,” said Tsotsotso.
She said the woman, who was hijacked, was taken to Edenvale Police Station.
Mashile said the two arrested suspects were charged with attempted murder and hijacking.
