[PHOTOS] Cops and robbers shootout in Oaktree
Police and suspects in a shootout after a hijacking earlier today.
It is alleged that six armed robbers were arrested following the hijacking of a cigarette truck in North West earlier today.
A massive queue of trucks and vehicles formed on the R563 towards the N14 after the shootout between the suspected hijackers and police.
ER24, Netcare 911 and police from the Krugersdorp Cluster, K9 Unit and Flying Squad were called to the scene after three vehicles with suspects were cornered metres away from the Engen Garage in Oaktree.
One of the six arrested suspects was treated on scene for gun-shot wounds to both his feet and taken to hospital while the others were arrested and taken to the police station.
About 100 bystanders gathered behind the police tape to get a glimpse of the action as police cleaned up the scene.
Mogale City Traffic Department and Community Safety also were deployed to close both sides of the road.
A taxi with two bullet holes parked on the side of the road got bystanders speculating.
Another bystander described the scene as something out of the movies and said there were so many police vehicles on scene it looked like the army.
One of the bystanders who live along the busy road told the News he had heard approximately 16 shots being fired.
A Fidelity helicopter was deployed to circle the area as police closed in on the suspects who fled in five different vehicles after allegedly hijacking the truck earlier today.
It is believed that two of the five vehicles managed to escape the long arm of the law for now, but that has not been confirmed.
The News spoke to high-ranking officers from the Krugersdorp Police on scene who will release an official statement about the incident later today.
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Related articles:
• Car and truck hijacking on the increase on N14
• Truck hijacking attempt foiled
• Cigarette van hijacking suspects caught
