High-speed car chase and shootout on N12

A shootout between police and robbers evading arrest played out on the N12 Potchefstroom last Thursday.

Ikageng SAPS spokesperson, Const. Kelebogile Trom says it was around 16:30 when Potchefstroom SAPS highway officers spotted a white Toyota Avanza that was allegedly involved in a business robbery at a store in Hartebeesfontein. An undisclosed amount of cash and tablet phones had been stolen.

Col. Mokgwabone says the suspects ignored the police’s order to stop and a car chase ensued. During the chase, the suspected robbers started firing at the police officers, who were forced to retaliate. One of the suspects fell out of the moving vehicle and was immediately arrested by the police. The remaining three fled the scene by car.

Trom says their vehicle was later found abandoned in Sarafina, Ikageng. While the two police officers were inspecting the vehicle, they were approached by an unknown man who refused to be searched. One police officer reported that a shot was fired, and they went for cover. The suspect disappeared into the bushes and the searches that followed, and continued the next day, did not yield any results.

According to Col. Mokgwabone the suspect that was detained is a 26-year-old Zimbabwean national who is facing the charge of business robbery in Hartbeesfontein.

He also appeared in Potchefstroom Magistrates’ Court on Monday for attempted murder.

Mokgwabone says police are still searching for the other three suspects who are also believed to be Zimbabwean nationals.

The community is urged to come forward with information that may lead to the arrest of the three suspects by contacting the detectives on 082 373 7650.

The only injuries that were sustained were on the left hand of an officer while falling to the ground for cover, Trom said.