SEBOKENG. –  The incident happened on Thursday at 17: 15. Police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo, reports that the Crime Intelligence team received a tip-off about a business robbery that was to be carried out at a bottle store in Sebokeng Zone 14 on Thursday.

“A team comprising of Crime Intelligence, Sedibeng Task Team, Sedibeng Tactical Response Team, Sedibeng K9 and Sedibeng Flying Squad  kept a close eye and monitored the suspects.

“At about 17h15 a vehicle that matched description given was spotted near the bottle store. About seven armed suspects entered the bottle store.”

Masondo reports that suspects started shooting when they saw police approaching and a shootout ensued.

“Four suspects were arrested and three firearms, two pistols and a rifle were recovered.” Masondo says preliminary  investigations revealed that a red VW Polo used by suspects was stolen in Vereeniging last year.

Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Elias Mawela commended the team for acting swiftly to prevent the robbery.

“I am pleased with the manner in which the members handled the information and arrested these suspects. There is a high possibility that these suspects are involved in other serious and violent crimes. Their arrests will help in the reduction of crime in Sedibeng and the surroundings.”

Masondo states that suspects will be profiled and firearms taken for ballistic tests to establish whether they were used for the commission of other crimes.

The arrested suspects will appear at the Sebokeng Magistrates Court in due course. Police are still on the hunt for suspects that fled from the scene.