Four men, believed to be behind a spate of robberies in Gauteng, have been arrested after they were involved in a shoot-out with Joburg police.
The suspected robbers, who are aged between 44 and 49, were arrested in Cyrildene, Johannesburg, on Wednesday.
“In their possession, police found three reported stolen firearms, ammunition, reported stolen motor vehicle, and housebreaking implements,” said Gauteng police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo.
“Two of the suspects sustained injuries during the shoot-out with the police and they were taken to the hospital where they are under police guard, while two were detained without injuries.”
Trouble started for the quartet when police officers attached to Johannesburg Flying Squad received a lookout for a silver Renault Clio occupied by men suspected to be involved in a spate of house robberies in Gauteng.
“The police spotted the vehicle driving at Cyrildene and activated the blue light and siren to stop it, but suspects accelerated and started shooting at the police,” said Masondo.
“The police returned fire, and the suspects' vehicle collided with two vehicles that belongs to members of the community. During the shoot-out, two of the suspects were shot while the other two were cornered and arrested.”
None of police officers were injured.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the vehicle used by the alleged robbers, the firearms were taken from owners during robbery incidents around Gauteng.
The arrested men are expected to appear before the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court in due course, facing charges of attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearms, possession of ammunition, and possession of a stolen motor vehicle.
“More charges might be added pending further investigation,” said Masondo.
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