Third suspect in north shootout arrested
“The suspects were linked to at least 10 business robberies in Tshwane.”
A third suspect, who fled the scene on Tuesday evening after a shootout with police in Akasia, has been arrested.
Police spokesperson Colonel Brenda Muridili said the suspect was arrested on Thursday evening and was in hospital under police guard.
“The suspect will appear in court as soon as he is medically fit to do so.”
The police tactical response team, supported by the national cash-in-transit (CIT) task team, held an intelligence-driven operation in Akasia that resulted in the shootout between police and the suspects.
Also read: Second north would-be robber dies
“The three suspects are believed to be part of a syndicate that commits business robberies in and around Tshwane,” she said.
The syndicate has been linked to CIT robberies as well.
“Officers received information that the suspects were planning to rob a business in Amandasig, near Wonderpark north of Pretoria. The suspects arrived after the business had, however, already closed and thus they decided to leave.”
The police pursued the suspects’ vehicle, which had no registration plates with three occupants in it. The officers tried to stop the bakkie at the corner of Doreen and First streets in Chantelle and an exchange of gunfire ensued.
“One of the three would-be robbers was fatally shot on the scene, the second suspect died on arrival at the hospital, while the third suspect managed to flee the scene on foot and has been arrested now.”
Also read: Alleged robber shot dead in the north
Police recovered three firearms and a Nissan NP200 bakkie.
She said the firearms will be taken for ballistic testing to determine whether they were used in other crimes. The bakkie, which is suspected to have been stolen, is currently being analysed by the SAPS’s vehicle identification unit.
“The suspects have been linked to at least 10 business robberies in Tshwane,” Muridili said.
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