Armed robbers killed in shootout with police in Durban

Two armed robbers have been shot dead in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.

The men, who were suspected of an armed robbery of a courier vehicle, were fatally wounded during a shootout with police at Newlands East on Wednesday morning, 24 May 2023.

Shootout

Police spokesperson Brigadier Jay Naicker said officers responded to an incident in which a courier vehicle was stolen along the N2 freeway in Paddock.

“The suspects stole electronic devices among other items. Investigations led police to Newlands East where three suspects were found offloading their loot. The suspects ignored police’s instructions to surrender, opened fire at police and a shootout ensued.

“After the shootout, two suspects were found to have sustained fatal gunshot wounds. The third suspect was arrested and two firearms were recovered at the scene,” Naicker said.

Naicker added that the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) was summoned to the scene for further investigations.

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CIT robbers arrested

Last week police arrested a gang of five suspected robbers in connection with cash-In-transit (CIT) and courier vehicles robberies.

The suspects, aged between 30 and 38, were arrested on Friday, 19 May 2023 at Emdeni in Soweto after police from Crime Intelligence and the Tactical Response Team received information that the armed suspects were en route to commit a robbery.

Equipment seized

Police spokesperson Mavela Masondo said the criminals were found with a number of items including three rifles, a pistol, large amounts of ammunition, two cars that were reported to be hijacked and a vehicle jammer.

“Two of the cars that were found at the premises, a BMW and Hyundai H100 bakkie, were reported to be hijacked in Sandton and Linden this year.

“The suspects will be charged with conspiracy to commit robbery, possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition, as well as possession of suspected hijacked motor vehicle. They are expected to appear before the magistrate’s court in due course,” Masondo said.

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