House robbery leads to shootout, police officer and civilian wounded
A house robbery in Middelburg resulted in chaos for Hendrina, where a police officer and civilian were wounded during a shootout.
According to Hendrina resident and Ward Councillor, Mr Corrie Wolmerans, Hendrina’s streets turned into a war-zone at around 12:45 yesterday afternoon after the robbers linked to Middelburg’s residential robbery, fled to Hendrina in the stolen bakkie.
The Hendrina SAPS, Acsu Security and community members managed to intercept the robbers who fled on foot and hid in the bushes of a nearby field.
Mr Wolmerans explained that with the use of a drone, the location of the two suspects could be pinpointed, which lead to both their arrests.
The shootout resulted in a member of the SAPS being wounded in his stomach, as well as a female resident.
Mr Wolmerans explained that the female resident was in her home, quite a distance from the scene, when she was struck by a stray bullet. The bullet entered her chest and left through her arm.
“It remains a mystery how the stray bullet managed to strike her.”
While both victims have been confirmed to be alive, the state of the female resident is undetermined. The officer was rushed to hospital for medical treatment.
