Two men were arrested and one shot dead after a motor vehicle theft incident in Meadowdale last Thursday.
According to the spokesperson for the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD), Chief Supt Wilfred Kgasago, the two suspects stole a Toyota Hilux at Meadowdale Mall.
“Upon realising the vehicle was missing, the owner activated the tracking system. Witnesses alerted the police to a charcoal Nissan Almera with two occupants who appeared to be accomplices to the thieves of the Toyota Hilux, as it was seen tailing the stolen Toyota. GPS coordinates of the vehicle movements were followed by both the EMPD Equestrian Unit members as well as the SAPS members on patrol in the area,” said Chief Supt Kgasago.
He said 45 minutes after the car was taken, the EMPD Equestrian Unit members spotted the Almera in Elandsfontein.
“The two suspects tried to run over the officers who confronted the occupants in the stolen Toyota Hilux. The suspect in the Almera’s passenger seat was shot in the shoulder and the driver was arrested without injuries. The wounded suspect was also placed under arrest and is currently under police guard in a hospital,” said Chief Supt Kgasago.
Two suspects in the Toyota Hilux abandoned the vehicle and ran.
“Metro police officers pursued the suspects on foot and one of them pointed a firearm at the officers. He was shot and fatally wounded. The second suspect was arrested,” said Chief Supt Kgasago.
According to him, the four suspects were on a police wanted list for a spate vehicle thefts.
The suspects were found in possession of a plethora of sophisticated car-breaking implements, which included various vehicle ignition keys and computer boxes.
“A data-dot reader revealed that the Almera was stolen in Soshanguve in August 2015,” he said.
Chief Supt Kgasago said all the suspects, including the deceased, are in their mid-30s.
Charges of vehicle theft, attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearms and resisting arrest were registered at the Bedfordview Police Station.
The two suspects in police custody were expected to appear in the Germiston Magistrate’s Court on last Friday.
