Quick thinking and fast action by a Carletonville detective ensured the arrest of one suspect shortly after a security guard was shot in Carletonville on the evening of October 18.

The 20-year-old guard, employed by Gladiator Community Protection, was on patrol near the corner of Gold and Beryl Streets around 21:00 when a white Suzuki Swift drove past him. Moments later, the guard heard shots and realised that he had been hit in his left arm.

The suspects attempted to flee the scene in their vehicle but only managed to drive about 200m before their car broke down. Despite trying to restart it, the vehicle would not budge.

Two of the suspects abandoned the car and fled on foot, leaving their accomplice behind, still struggling with the vehicle.

Responding swiftly to reports of gunfire, members of the Carletonville Police arrived on the scene and found the injured guard along with the remaining suspect near the broken-down car.

Although the suspect claimed that he had been hijacked, Sergeant Thabo Kharejane did not release him before checking video footage from the scene, which confirmed the suspect’s involvement in the attack.

The man was arrested and is expected to appear in the Oberholzer Magistrate’s Court this week. Police have since confirmed that the suspect and his two accomplices are residents of the George Goch hostel in Soweto. By printing time, the other two suspects were still on the run.

The police are investigating an attempted murder case.