Two robbers killed, two arrested after high-speed chase, shootout near Vredefort, FS
The fleeing robbers hijacked two cars with both suspects in a VW Polo, shot and killed while two of three travelling in a Toyota Rav, were arrested.
It was no easy feat to catch up with five robbers believed to be involved in a robbery near Mooinooi in the North-West. The fleeing group hijacked two vehicles and shot at police in their attempt to flee the arm of the law.
According to information, police were looking for five suspects after a robbery in Mooinooi that took place just after 08:00 yesterday.
The robber gang was spotted near Kroonstad. Nearby members of rural safety and crime prevention were busy with an operation at a checkpoint on the Steynsrus Road. They were informed that a suspected stolen Porche with five occupants was traveling in their direction.
Backup was called in from surrounding police stations. When the suspects noticed police, they changed direction, traveling towards the N1 before taking the Vredefort offramp.
Farmers in the area were alerted and asked to check security cameras on possible escape routes in the area, to monitor the movement of the suspects while police were in pursuit.
The suspects took a turnoff to a dirt-road that leads to the R82 (between Vredefort and Koppies). Along the way they attempted to hijack a truck but changed their plans when they spotted a Toyota Rav. They fled in the Rav, leaving the vehicle’s occupants behind next to the road.
A second vehicle, this time a VW Polo, was hijacked. Two of the five suspects got into the Polo, whose occupants were also left next to the road, and fled while three suspects remained in the Rav.
Both suspects in the Polo were shot and killed during a shootout with police. Two of the three suspects in the Rav were arrested with the third managing to flee.
The two arrested suspects will appear in the Sasolburg Magistrate’s Court on charges of armed robbery, hijacking and attempted murder.
Provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane, praised the teamwork between police and the public to secure the arrest.
Anyone with information about the suspect that fled, can contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or via the MySAPS app.
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