A high-speed car chase and shootout in Brakpan on Tuesday afternoon resulted in two arrests and the recovery of a hijacked car and an unlicensed firearm.
According to Capt Pearl van Staad, spokesperson for Brakpan police, members of the Ekurhuleni Task Team received a tip-off around 3pm about a white BMW with two occupants behaving suspiciously at the Mall@Carnival.
“Police gave chase after the BMW sped off along the R23 towards Benoni,” she said.
“The suspects turned left to Dalpark Extension Six, where the driver of the vehicle lost control at the curve.
Read: Police shoot out tyres to end car chase
“Two men abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot, running in different directions.
“One of them began shooting at the police and police returned fire.”
The gunman was shot in the hip and apprehended, and his accomplice was also caught.
“Police returned to the abandoned car and searched it,” said Van Staad, adding that further investigations revealed the car had been hijacked.
A firearm was also seized.
“One suspect was detained at the Brakpan Police Station while the other was taken to hospital under police guard,” said Van Staad.
The pair face charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, possession of a hijacked motor vehicle and attempted murder.
The task team members were congratulated by district police commissioner Maj-Gen MV Leshabane for a “sterling job well done”.
Also read: Police smell a rat, give chase and get their men
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