THREE suspects were arrested following a high-speed chase and shooting incident on South Coast Road and the Umlazi off-ramp recently.

According to police,  reports were received of a shooting at the scene. Crime prevention officers responded, with the members of the Isipingo Trio Crimes Unit and a private security company joining in.

“A security guard from a private company reported that they had received information about a silver Toyota Etios that had been stolen in the Kloof area. The vehicle was allegedly travelling from the west towards the southbound direction. Security officers positioned themselves near the M1 and N2 and later spotted the suspected stolen vehicle,” said a source.

Then a pursuit ensued along the N2 southbound.

“The Toyota Etios continued straight on the N2, while a Mazda exited at the Umlazi off-ramp and proceeded onto South Coast Road,” said a police source.

During the chase, one of the suspects allegedly leaned out of the back window of the Mazda and pointed a firearm at security guards in an attempt to shoot at them.

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“Security officers returned fire, causing the suspects’ vehicle to lose control. Three suspects were apprehended at the scene. One suspect sustained injuries and was transported to Wentworth Hospital for medical treatment,” said a  source.

Police said a search of the suspects’ vehicle led to the recovery of a 38 Special revolver with its serial number filed off, along with three rounds of ammunition.

Police also recovered a vehicle electronic device suspected to be used for cloning vehicles, a car break-in implement, various car keys, computer boxes, and the original vehicle registration plates inside the vehicle.

The suspects were detained at Montclair police station.

Spokesperson for Marshall Security, Tyron Powell, said further investigations confirmed that the stolen Toyota Etios was fitted with a tracking unit.

“Matrix tracking members, together with the Umlazi K9 Unit, conducted a co-ordinated search operation and later recovered the vehicle abandoned in Umlazi G section. A search of the suspects’ Mazda revealed that the vehicle was fitted with false registration plates. Its original registration was later established. Officers also recovered numerous car break-in implements, multiple vehicle computer boxes, and an unlicensed firearm, all of which were seized as evidence,” said Powell.

The suspects face charges including pointing of a firearm, possession of an unlicensed firearm, possession of unlawful ammunition, possession of unlawful professional key tools suspected to be used for vehicle cloning, and possession of car break-in implements.

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