LISTEN: Police rescue kidnapped victim, arrest 5, 1 killed in Winchester Hills shootout
A police operation targeting suspected hijackers ended with five arrests, one suspect dead, and a kidnapped victim safely rescued.
A multidisciplinary police operation in Winchester Hills ended with five suspects arrested, one fatally wounded, and a kidnapped victim rescued unharmed on May 21.
Members of the Gauteng Tactical Response Team (TRT), working with Crime Intelligence and other law enforcement agencies, intercepted the suspects at the N12 and Xavier Road turn-off.
This follows the hijacking of a white Isuzu bakkie in Germiston earlier that day.
The victim had been kidnapped and forced to accompany the suspects. During the interception, police identified two additional vehicles believed to have been used as convoy vehicles.
Two suspects fled into nearby bushes and opened fire on officers, sparking a shootout.
One suspect was fatally wounded at the scene. The kidnapped victim was rescued unharmed.
Police recovered an unlicensed firearm with ammunition and the hijacked Isuzu bakkie.
Three other vehicles, a Mitsubishi SUV, a VW Polo and a Volvo, all allegedly used by the suspects, were also seized.
Cases of attempted murder, possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, possession of a hijacked motor vehicle and kidnapping have been opened.
The operation was carried out by SAPS Counter Intelligence from head office, Gauteng TRT, Gauteng Traffic Police Air Wing, SAPS DPC Tracking Team, CAP Specialised Operations, and Tracker Connect.
Captain Tintswalo Sibeko, of the Gauteng SAPS, said: “This was a textbook example of intelligence-led policing and inter-agency coordination. Our teams acted swiftly to intercept the suspects, prioritised the victim’s safety, and removed dangerous criminals from the streets. We will continue to target organised hijacking syndicates with the same level of resolve.”
SAPS management in Gauteng commended the team for its swift, coordinated, and decisive response, which led to the arrests, recovery of the vehicle, and safe rescue of the victim.
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