Vicious criminal wanted for killing police officers, CIT heist & ATM bombings killed in a shootout

In Tshwane’s Olievenhoutbosch area, a man listed as one of the most wanted suspects in Gauteng met his demise in a confrontation with the police on Sunday. Two accomplices were apprehended during the incident.

The suspect in question was sought for various crimes, including attempted murder of two police officers, involvement in cash-in-transit robberies, ATM bombings, and homicides, including the killing of a traffic police officer responding to an ATM bombing in Erasmia, Tshwane.

The police received information regarding the suspect’s location, prompting a coordinated takedown operation involving multiple law enforcement units. The Gauteng police tactical response team, anti-gang unit, Johannesburg Metro Police Department, Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department, Vusela Intel, SRM Security, and Bravallo Aeronotics participated in the operation. The team identified the suspect and two accomplices traveling in a white Toyota Quantum and a Hyundai i20 at Spin City in Olievenhoutbosch.

As the police intercepted the suspects’ vehicles, a confrontation ensued with gunfire exchanged between the law enforcement officers and the suspects. The primary suspect was fatally shot during the exchange, while the two accomplices were arrested. At the scene, two firearms with filed-off serial numbers and 26 live rounds of ammunition were recovered. Both vehicles driven by the suspects, the Toyota Quantum and Hyundai i20, were seized.

Further investigations revealed that all three suspects were linked to recent ATM bombings in Soweto. The identities of the suspects have not been disclosed at this time.

The incident highlights the collaborative efforts of various law enforcement agencies in addressing and neutralizing high-profile criminal elements. The successful operation not only led to the elimination of a most-wanted suspect but also resulted in the apprehension of his accomplices and the recovery of firearms and ammunition, contributing to ongoing efforts to combat organized crime in the region.