TWO police officers having lunch in their police van in Rabie Ridge were locked in the back of the van and had their firearms stolen on Tuesday afternoon.
Three suspects had been arrested later in the day and the two stolen police guns were recovered.
The whole incident was captured on a nearby company’s CCTV footage.
According to the Intelligence Bureau of SA three suspects approached the officers and pointed firearms at them. They then disarmed the men and locked them in the back of the van.
They ran away and the officers had to bang on the door for community members to open for them. They managed to call for backup via their police radio. A search was launched and three men were apprehended.
The bereau said one of the suspect’s firearms was linked to a murder of a JMPD officer two months ago in Ivory Park.
Provincial head of corporate communication for the police, Brig Neville Malila, said the three suspects were charged with armed robbery, hijacking and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
He said the suspects were joined by three others and they hijacked a vehicle and fled the scene.
“The suspects lost control of their vehicle and fired several shots at the police who returned fire,” said Malila. The three suspects, between the ages of 25 and 30 years old, were arrested.
“Investigations in the matter continuing. Police are looking at the possibility of linking the suspects to other crimes in the area,” said Malila.
