Four suspected robbers were last week arrested in Rietfontein, north-east of Pretoria, after a high-speed pursuit caused them to lose control of their getaway vehicle.

A member of a private security company spotted the suspects unloading cargo from a courier vehicle into a bakkie parked nearby.

The security guard alerted the police and other security personnel in the vicinity.

A sector police vehicle from Moot SAPS, which happened to be nearby, rushed to the scene and apprehended the four suspects in the act.

Suspects open fire and drive off

Upon sighting the approaching police, the suspects opened fire at the police. The police retaliated, and the suspects fled the scene at high speed.

The two occupants of the courier vehicle were left traumatised but unharmed.

A high-speed pursuit ensued through the streets of the Moot, which ended at the junction of Johan Heyns and Nico Smith streets in Gezina.

The suspects lost control of their vehicle on Johan Heyns Street, near the intersection with Nico Smit Street, while attempting to evade traffic.

The police swiftly surrounded the suspects and apprehended all four at the scene.

Police finds gun on the scene

Additionally, a 9mm pistol, ammunition, and the suspects’ cellphones were seized. The serial number of the firearm had been filed off. The stolen courier cargo was also retrieved.

Police will profile the suspects and investigate possible connections to other courier hijackings or criminal activities.

The suspects will soon appear in the local magistrate’s court.

Pretoria Moot police station commander Colonel Hlengeni Giben Mashaba praised the commendable efforts of the police and all involved role players.

He emphasised the strong partnership that exists between Moot police, private security, the community, and businesses in combating crime.