Tactical Response Team (TRT) members deployed at Dutywa arrested two male suspects aged between 18 and 42 and confiscated two illegal firearms after a robbery ordeal that began with a vehicle speedy chase and ended with bullet crossfire exchange, leaving the robbers wounded, defeated and arrested on 11 July 2020.
Members deployed to combat cash-in-transit heists and business robberies in the area were doing patrols at Willowvale CBD. At about 13:00 they noticed three males coming out of one of the shops, running and shooting.
Members gave chase until they reached an open field at Ciko locality. The members identified themselves as police officers but the suspects fired shots towards them. The members retaliated, hitting two of the suspects while the third suspect ran away.
Police confiscated one firearm and recovered the money robbed at the business.
The injured suspects were taken to hospital for medical attention.
The firearm will be taken to ballistic test to ascertain if it was not used in commissioning of crime.
The suspects will appear at Willowvale Magistrates Court on 13 July 2020 on charges of business robbery, possession of illegal firearm and attempted murder.
Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner Lt Gen Liziwe Ntshinga commended the members for their bravery. “You are our people’s last hope and your efforts inspire confidence to the public. The criminals must continue to feel our presence through arrests like this one,” she said.
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