A suspected member of a house robbery syndicate that has been operating in the Roodekrans, Helderkruin and Kloofendal areas, has been shot dead in the early hours of this morning, according to Colonel André Laing.
Four suspects gained access to a house in Marble Close and robbed the tenants at gun point, taking a television, ipad and handbags. They fled and escaped into the ridge adjacent to Boeing Avenue. A resident who had cameras strategically placed in the veld informed the police that he will alert them should his cameras pick up any activity. He alerted the police that four suspects have entered the veld through a gate and they were possibly on their way down to a hole in the lower fence that is favoured by criminals as an escape route.
Two officers stationed themselves at the hole in the fence while two others hit behind a rock higher up.
When the suspects were within hearing distance the two officers behind the rock switched on their flashlights and shouted at the suspects to stop. The suspects opened fire not knowing that there were two more officers lower down. The police retaliated and also opened fire.
Three of the suspects managed to escape, but when the chaos settled the officers discovered that one of the suspected robbers was shot and killed. He was found on top of one of the stolen handbags and still had a stolen cell phone on his person.
Deidre Tholet, a resident of Blende Avenue who is leading the fight against the wave of crime in the area, has praised the police saying ‘it is indeed very good news’.
