Combined efforts by Edenvale authorities resulted in the arrest of four robbers on Thursday.
The four suspects were arrested in connection with an armed robbery that took place in Hurlyvale.
According to Edenvale Community Police Forum (ECPF) member, Mr Gary Wilson the robbery took place at a Hurlyvale property on Cobham Road.
The ECPF, Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD), the SAPS and security companies were conducting a roadblock near Laurie Road at the time.
Mamba’s tactical team was notified of the robbery and was on the lookout for the perpetrators’ vehicle, and once they found it, they gave chase.
Mr Wilson said that the suspects opened fire on Mamba’s tactical team, who in turn fired back.
Edenvale SAPS acting communications officer, Warrant Officer Jean Olckers said that the suspects almost drove right into the roadblock but managed to change direction and avoid it. However, the suspects were boxed in on Macnab Road through the combined efforts of multiple security groups, EMPD, SAPS and ECPF.
It was on Macnab Road where the four suspects climbed out of the vehicle and got into a resident’s property, where shots were exchanged between the suspects and their pursuers.
During the shoot-out, a suspect was wounded when he shot himself in the foot.
“The suspect was transported to hospital for treatment,” said W/O Olckers.
“Two of the suspects proceeded to barricade themselves in an outside bathroom but were later arrested. The fourth suspect managed to evade police; however, after receiving information from members of the community and ECPF members, a search led police to Forsythe Road where he was arrested,” said W/O Olckers.
According to the SAPS the items taken during the robbery included a television and jewellery. It was found that the vehicle used by the robbers was also used in a house robbery in Randburg.
“It was big a scene. Edenvale SAPS thank all those involved in the operation, which included SAPS Tembisa and Norkem Park, EMPD, ECPF, Mamba, Savika Armed Response and Savika K9 unit and other security companies,” said W/O Olckers.
