Two suspects connected to a string of armed-robbery cases in Umkomaas, were arrested on Thursday afternoon in Amanzimtoti. Their bullet-riddled vehicle was spotted in a parking at Amanzimtoti’s beach front.
“A motorist alerted a Blue Security Community Crime Prevention Unit (CCPU) member when he witnessed the suspicious actions of the driver and occupants. Not only had the vehicle pulled into the parking spot at high speed, but one of the suspects was also seen changing the number plates on the vehicle. The car was also riddled with bullet holes,” said Blue Security community and media liaison officer, Andreas Mathios.
The driver and passengers got out of the vehicle and disappeared into the surrounding area shortly before the CCPU member arrived. It was established that the suspects had earlier been involved in a shooting incident with SAPS in the Umkomaas area before making their hasty getaway onto the N2 freeway and heading towards Amanzimtoti. The shooting occurred in the Makabene township, near Umkomaas, after SAPS had been alerted of a female pedestrian being mugged by three occupants in a vehicle.
The vehicle has been linked to a number of outstanding cases involving muggings and armed robberies in the area.
“While investigating the mugging, the Umkomaas SAPS vehicle was shot at by the suspects and an exchange of gunfire ensued. The suspects then took off in the direction of Amanzimtoti,” Mathios said.
An alert was immediately put out by SAPS to all security networks informing of a chase in progress and that the suspects’ vehicle had exited the township and headed towards Amanzimtoti.
“On arriving at the scene, and confirming that the bullet-riddled car was indeed the one being sought by SAPS, the Blue Security CCPU member immediately requested additional resources to assist,” he said.
The crime scene was handed over to the SAPS forensic team to continue investigations.
Two suspects, matching the description which had been circulated, were later apprehended by SAPS a short distance from where the vehicle had been abandoned.
“The suspects were taken to Umkomaas police station for further processing. A third suspect is still at large,” Mathios said.
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