Three suspects were arrested for house breaking and possession of drugs in a joint operation between ET’s tactical response team (TRT) and Umkomaas SAPS on Thursday, 26 November. “It started a week ago when jewelry worth R50 000 was stolen from a person at the Karridene Hotel in Illovo. Our response officers went looking for a possible suspect nearby and he was subsequently apprehended and handcuffed,” said ET managing member, Tony Lokker. However, while busy loading the suspect in their vehicle, the officers came under attack from other suspects who tried to disarm them. During the commotion, the suspect escaped. “In the days after, our team worked hard to follow up information to get our suspect. In the early hours of Thursday morning, our TRT and SAPS descended on a location in Umgababa, where our escapee suspect was re-arrested.” He was in possession of other stolen property at the time. The team follow up on information, which led to two more suspects being arrested and more stolen property and drugs being recovered. One of the suspects is a known drug dealer and all three were detained and charged at Umkomaas SAPS. READ ALSO: Superhero keeping Amanzimtoti safe during lockdown Wednesday, 25 November TRT members survived a high-speed chase and shootout to assist in the arrest of an armed robber. “At about 8.30pm, our TRT responded to assist members of Brighton Beach SAPS who were in pursuit of a vehicle and occupants involved in armed robbery from persons in Lamontville, who were also shooting at the pursuing SAPS members. Members of our TRT joined in on the pursuit along Himalayas Road, joining the M4 South.” During the pursuit, the suspects fired multiple shots at the SAPS and TRT members, who returned fire. The pursuit continued along Old Main Road in Isipingo, where the suspects avoided other police vehicles by changing lanes into oncoming traffic, nearly causing collisions. It eventually ended in Umlazi U section, when the suspects lost control of their vehicle, with members hot on their heels.
Three suspects alighted from the vehicle and fled into properties on foot, still firing at pursuing members. One suspect, who had sustained gunshot wounds and was still inside the vehicle, was arrested. The vehicle and the property taken from the victims was recovered. “An extensive search for the remaining suspects was conducted, but they unfortunately could not be located. It is suspected that the three who escaped could have sustained gunshot wounds, due to large amount of blood found in the vehicle. Members involved are commended for their bravery, and we are very happy that none of the crime fighters were injured,” said Lokker.
READ ALSO: New vehicle for the CCPO to continue fight DID YOU KNOW? Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics. To receive news links via WhatsApp or Telegram, send an invite to 061 694 6047 The South Coast Sun is also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest – why not join us there? Do you have more information pertaining to this story? Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist. (Comments posted on this issue may be used for publication in the Sun)
