Last night, Pietermaritzburg Flying Squad and K9 unit were alerted about three suspects who were allegedly involved in theft out of motor vehicles at Howick and Town Hill areas. While conducting their observations along the main routes, they spotted a suspected vehicle with the same description given to them with three occupants. The members attempted to pull over the said vehicle but if sped off. The police officers gave chased and a shootout ensued. Suspect’s vehicle crashed into a civilian vehicle and overturned. The police officers managed to apprehend two suspects who had gunshot wounds. The third suspect died at the scene. A car jamming devices and a 9mm pistol were recovered from the vehicle. Two arrested suspects were taken to hospital under police guard. They will be charged with attempted murder, possession of car breaking implements, reckless and negligence driving and possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition. The recovered firearm will be sent for ballistic tests to check if it was used in any other crimes in the province.

The police officers had information were looking for these suspects who were mainly jamming the cars and stole items from vehicles around the province. The suspects were linked to at least 20 other cases of theft out of motor vehicles in the province where similar modus operandi was used. The arrested suspects aged between 35 and 45 are due to appear in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court soon.

Source: South African Police Service