Just News |
Three suspects died on Wednesday afternoon during the exchange of gunfire with the police team led by Hawks whilst two were arrested.
An intelligence driven operation was conducted by the Hawks’ Tactical Operational Management Section assisted by Tracker Connect, Gauteng Crime Intelligence, SAPS Highway Patrol, GTP Saturation Unit, ICB Insurance Crime Bureau and Badboyz Security in Roodepoort, searching for hijacking suspects who are targeting VW Polo vehicles.
Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Philani Nkwalase said the team discovered that the suspects were in motion and stopped them on the side of the road immediately after allegedly hijacking a Polo.
The police tried to arrest the suspects but they greeted the police with a hail of bullets which led to an exchange of gunfire that resulted in three suspects being fatally wounded.
“Two suspects aged between 25 and 30 were arrested and the injured owner of the Polo who was held in the vehicle was rescued. He was taken to the hospital for medical attention. Three firearms with ammunition, cellphones and heavy-duty gloves were recovered.”
Nkwalase said preliminary investigation revealed suspects are also linked to more than 18 hijacking cases committed in the Gauteng areas.
The suspects will appear in Johannesburg Magistrates Court on Friday 10 December 2021.