Four men escaped arrest following a car chase and an exchange of gunfire with the police at the Eastgate Shopping Centre on Wednesday last week.
Bedfordview SAPS communications officer, Sergeant Mduduzi Nhlabathi, said the chase started from Kensington.
“Members of the Cleveland SAPS who were patrolling the area noticed two men stealing a number plate from another vehicle and putting it onto their car. The police approached them but they fled the scene.
“When they noticed they were being followed, they entered Eastgate Shopping Centre. There was a shootout between the police and the men at the roof parking. The men managed to escape,” said Sgt Nhlabathi.
He added that the police followed the suspects towards Morninghill, where they abandoned their car.
“The suspects jumped over into properties and disappeared into the hill,” he said.
He added that the car was not reported stolen but further investigations will be done.
Sgt Nhlabathi said the men tossed a bag out a window while fleeing through Morninghill.
“A resident who saw this, alerted the police. Officers found equipment related to vehicle stealing, like an engine control computer box, ignition switches and sharpened allen keys in the bag,” he said.
Anyone with any information about the incident can call Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or their local police station.
