TWO suspects were arrested in Morningside after a dramatic car chase that started outside a bank in North Coast Road, Briardene this afternoon.
Businesses and the public were curious as police cars with sirens blaring sped through Morningside in hot pursuit of the vehicle. Many taking to social media to find out what the “Wild West” car chase was all about.
According to reports Greenwood Park SAPS Crime Prevention Unit and four armed suspects exchanged gunfire after police approached the suspicious vehicle, which was parked outside a bank on the busy road.
Warrant Officer Leon Audh of the Greenwood Park SAPS said they received information regarding a suspicious vehicle (a white GTI Golf) and immediately dispatched the team to the scene to investigate.
“Police blocked the entrance to the bank, and when the suspects noticed the police they made an attempt to flee, ramming into the police vehicle. Before managing to escape the suspects produced weapons – one AK47 and two 9mm pistols – and a shootout ensued,” he said.
The suspects then fled towards uMgeni and turned into Smiso Nkwanyana (Goble) Road. There they hijacked a driver in a Mercedes Benz and switched vehicles, he said. Later they abandoned the hijacked vehicle on Cypress Avenue and fled on foot.
Fortunately a police helicopter fed the unit with information and they were able to track the suspects to Stamford Hill Road. Two of the suspects attempted to hide in a business premises.
“When police followed the suspects into the building one suspect fired at the officers. They returned fire and managed to shoot the suspect. The second was apprehended by a dog unit while hiding in a clothing rack,” said Audh.
The two suspects have been arrested and transported to a local hospital. The two 9mm pistols were found in the possession of the two arrested men and the AK47 was recovered from the second abandoned vehicle.
