Three suspects were fatally wounded in a high-speed chase and shootout with the Hawks Tactical Operations Management (Toms) Team in Johannesburg in the early hours of Wednesday morning .
The incident began when officers received information about suspects allegedly committing hijackings and kidnappings on Elm Road in Crystal Park. As members tactically patrolled the area around 20:30, they spotted a silver grey Opel Astra matching the description, just after the suspects had pulled a female victim from her Fiat and bundled her into their getaway vehicle .
Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said a high-speed chase ensued, during which the suspects opened fire on police. The suspects’ vehicle subsequently hit a side barrier and went into an embankment .
“In the aftermath, three suspects were fatally wounded, and the victim was rescued with no injuries. Two firearms and some of the possessions belonging to the victim were found in the suspects’ vehicle,” Mogale said .
The suspects had allegedly attempted to murder and kidnap the victim, who escaped the ordeal unscathed. Investigations are continuing .
Brooklyn Mall Robbery
In a separate incident on Wednesday, Tshwane police arrested five suspects following a business robbery and vehicle hijacking at a jewellery store in Brooklyn Mall .
Police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko said the robbery occurred at approximately 09:50 when five suspects targeted the store. One suspect posed as a customer before forcibly gaining entry, while accomplices damaged display cases and removed jewellery from the premises. The suspects then hijacked a vehicle to flee the scene .
A coordinated response by police and other law enforcement agencies, including private security, pursued the suspects and arrested them in Pretoria Central CBD .
“A shootout between the team and the suspect ensued, and a security officer sustained gunshot injuries. He is receiving medical attention,” Sibeko said .
Three of the suspects also sustained injuries and were transported to a medical facility under police guard. Police recovered the hijacked vehicle, a firearm with ammunition, and the stolen jewellery .
The suspects, aged between 32 and 38, are in custody. Investigations into the incident are ongoing .