Suspects shot in fire-fight after robbery

[caption id="attachment_126216" align="aligncenter" width="500"] UNDER GUARD: Four suspects in an armed robbery where taken to hospital under a heavy police guard after a dramatic car chase and shoot-out yesterday. The suspects were wounded while exchanging fire with police as they were speeding from the scene of the crime PHOTOGRAPH: FREDLIN ADRIAAN[/caption]

FOUR suspected robbers were wounded in a dramatic car chase and shoot-out with police only moments after Transform Electrical Wholesaler in Paterson Road, North End, was robbed yesterday afternoon.

Within minutes of the robbery, the police helicopter was activated and hovered overhead, assisting with the apprehension of four suspects. A fifth man managed to escape, but was arrested late yesterday after claiming to have been the victim of a hijacking in the VW Polo involved in the car chase.

According to police at the scene, the men are believed to be behind a spate of business robberies in North End, including one just this week.

While the total number of shots fired between robbers and police remains unknown, more than 50 shots are thought to have been exchanged. Both the police vehicle and the Polo were riddled with bullet holes.

No police officers were wounded in the incident.

Shortly after the shoot-out and the four arrests, the owner of the Polo walked into New Brighton police station claiming his car had been hijacked.

But in a dramatic twist, he was later detained by police and charged in connection with the robbery.

The high-speed chase began after police spotted the Polo speeding towards New Brighton shortly after 2.30pm and just after the robbery.

During the pursuit the robbers allegedly opened fire on the police, with two bullet holes in the front windscreen of the police car, prompting police to return fire.

Two of the suspects, who are in a critical condition, were shot in the chest, while the other two were shot in the shoulder and abdomen. The fifth suspect, who had reported the hijacking, had not been shot.

An officer at the scene, who cannot be named as he does not have authority to talk to the media, said the robbers had been shooting at the police to kill them.

“The shots were head-height in the windscreen. It is very clear they were shooting to kill,” the official said.

“This gang has been on a robbing spree for weeks and we formed an intervention unit [comprising 25 police officials and 10 vehicles] to assist in their capture. They were wanted for several robberies in the area, but now detectives have to link them to the other robberies.”

One of the cellphones stolen in the heist was found in the Polo.

Atlas Security operations manager Monty Montgomery said the car chase and shooting occurred after the men stormed the wholesaler and held staff hostage.

“The staff were held at gunpoint while the robbers stole cash and other items before running out. Staff pressed the panic button, alerting us to the incident.

“On my response vehicle’s arrival, the staff saw two men running towards the railway line next to the N2. The getaway vehicle was obviously parked nearby.

“A massive search was launched and the police air wing was called to assist.”

Police spokesman Warrant Officer Alwin Labans said: “During the chase, the robbers fired several shots at police, prompting them to retaliate and return fire.

Several shots were exchanged before the vehicle came to a stop in Avenue E, New Brighton. All five robbers jumped out of the Polo in an attempt to escape and continued shooting at police.

“One, who had been shot, was found hiding between shacks. Three suspected stolen pistols used by the robbers were also found on the scene.” The four injured suspects were taken to Livingstone Hospital for treatment, where they are under police guard.

“Detectives are working on the case to ascertain if the men are linked to other robberies in recent weeks,” Labans said.