Crime fest in the Upper Highway area as two people die in robberies

A POLICE officer was one of two people who died in one of three crime scenes that happened in the Upper Highway area on Sunday, November 19. The police in Westville are searching for a group of suspects in connection with the two cases, which are a business robbery and the murder of the police officer. ALS Paramedics reported that they responded to a shooting incident to find two separate active crime scenes.

Also read: One person dies in an attempted robbery in Westmead

“The first was at the robots before the mall where a police member was shot. He was in a critical condition and rushed to a nearby hospital. Unfortunately, due to his injuries, he passed away a short while later,” said ALS Paramedics spokesperson Garrith Jamieson.

KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said they have done preliminary investigations.
“Information at the police’s disposal indicates that a suspect, who posed as a customer, entered a jewellery store, and in no time, at least four other suspects followed him. The suspects then overpowered the staff and robbed them of an undisclosed amount of jewellery. Simultaneously, another group of suspects stormed into another jewellery store and also robbed them of an undisclosed amount of gold jewellery.

“On their way out of the mall, the suspects came across a police vehicle and started firing shots towards an officer who succumbed to gunshot injuries. It was further established the suspects had robbed two security guards of their firearms,” explained Netshiunda.

He further explained that the suspects fled from the scene in two getaway vehicles: a bakkie and a silver Toyota Etios.

Also read: Police officer dies in alleged shooting

Police are pleading with anyone who might have information regarding the whereabouts of the suspects to contact the nearest police station or call the crime stop number at 08600 10111. Alternatively, information can be relayed through the MySAPS App.

This incident was a few hours after one person had died in a separate shooting incident at a cash-and-carry store on Goodwood Road in Westmead, Pinetown.

ALS paramedics reported responding to the incident just before 12:00 on Sunday, November 19. “Paramedics were shown to the patients and found that a security officer and a shopper had been injured during the robbery. They were both stabilised at the scene.

“One patient was also found to be injured and treated on scene, however, he is under arrest by the SAPS. One person, also believed to be involved in the crime, sustained fatal injuries and was declared deceased on the scene,” said Jamieson.

Also read: Mariannhill crime march fizzles out

Police confirmed this incident, saying they have arrested two suspects after a foiled cross-pavement cash-in-transit robbery at a store in Westmead, Pinetown, on Sunday.

“A cash-in-transit security guard had just collected money from a store and was walking towards the armoured vehicle when he was allegedly accosted by two armed suspects who assaulted him in an attempt to rob him of the cash. A shoot-out reportedly ensued between the security guards and the suspects, and one suspect was fatally wounded. The other suspect ran towards a getaway vehicle, however, he and another accomplice were arrested,” he said.

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