Four men arrested and one shot dead after Friday afternoon Christiaan de Wet Road police chase

Four suspects were apprehended and one was shot dead following a business robbery on Friday, November 11.

The five suspects are alleged to have robbed a clothing retailer at a strip mall in Princess and while making their escape were spotted by police. The suspects fled the scene at roughly 12:30 in a white Toyota Corolla Quest but were spotted by police as they did so.

Roodepoort police and the Johanneburg K9 Unit gave chase through the suburbs, onto Christiaan de Wet Road and eventually caught up with the suspects near Eagle Canyon Estate. The five armed men and police exchanged fire following the chase with one of the suspects sustaining a fatal gunshot wound. The four remaining suspects were arrested and detained at Roodepoort police station.

Honeydew and Cosmo City police Spokesperson, Warrant Officer Dave Stanton confirmed the incident and offered a warning to criminal elements.

“During the festive season, police remain committed and vigilant in protecting our communities. Such crimes will not be tolerated and criminals will face strong consequences for their actions,” said Warrant Officer Stanton.

Additionally, three unlicensed firearms, ammunition and stolen smart phones were recovered and booked in at Roodepoort police while the suspects’ vehicle was impounded. Provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Noxolo Kweza, revealed the results of preliminary investigations, saying “The suspects’ getaway vehicle was fitted with false registration numbers. It was further discovered that one of the firearms was reported stolen from a police officer in Piet Retief in Mpumalanga”.

The suspects have been charged with business robbery, possession of stolen property as well as possession of unlicensed firearms.