An armed robbery in Brenthurst escalated into a dramatic pursuit and shooting inside the Brakpan Cemetery on the afternoon of March 21.

According to information received from Brakpan police, the victim was cycling to his mother’s residence when he was stopped by three men at the corner of Olympia Road and Pienaar Street at about 15:20.

One of the men pointed a firearm at the victim, and he was instructed to throw all of his belongings on the ground.

His bicycle was taken by one of the robbers, who rode off on it, while another took his cellphone, backpack containing his wallet, and other valuables.

The gunman and his accomplice then fled the scene. The victim hurried to his mother’s home, and they went out in search of the robbers. While driving, they noticed two of the men running into the Brakpan Cemetery.

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A response officer from Secure Tech Security was notified of the incident, and was en route to the scene when he was alerted that the suspects had been seen heading into the cemetery.

He encountered the victim at the cemetery’s entrance, who provided descriptions of the suspects. The officer entered the cemetery and located two men matching the descriptions.

He instructed them to stop, but they allegedly failed to comply. The officer pursued them on foot, during which a suspect allegedly fired a shot at him. The officer returned fire, injuring one of the suspects.

The victim entered the cemetery to identify the suspect who had been shot, and his watch and wallet were reportedly found in the suspect’s possession. The injured suspect was transported by ambulance to the Far East Rand Hospital.

It is believed the firearm that was recovered from the suspect was reported stolen during an armed robbery earlier this month. Cases of armed robbery and attempted murder are under investigation.

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