Further investigations into the gang of eight business robbers that were involved in the high speed chase and shootout with our members, where six suspects were shot dead and the remaining two were arrested, is believed to be linked to the recent spate of robberies at local car dealerships.
The shootout occurred on Wednesday morning at approximately 07h20 when our teams received information of two vehicles, a gold Toyota Etios and silver Volkswagen Polo, travelling south on the N2, fleeing the scene of their latest robbery at two businesses in a well-known shopping centre in Empangeni earlier that morning.
Members of our Special Operations Team together with the SAPS Phoenix Trio Crime Unit, SAPS Crime Intelligence Unit, and various other security companies strategically positioned their vehicles in the vicinity of the Tongaat Toll Plaza to be on the ready for when the suspects approached, which then lead to a short high-speed chase and shootout when the suspects opened fire on responding members. Both suspect vehicles crashed approximately one kilometer apart during the incident.
During the shootout, five suspects were shot dead on scene and were declared deceased by medical practitioners from a private ambulance service. Two suspects, who were in critical condition after sustaining gunshot wounds, were transported to a nearby hospital under police guard. One suspect later succumbed to his injuries in hospital. The eighth suspect, who fled on foot, was arrested a short while later by the SAPS Umhlali K9 Unit and is in police custody.
A total of four unlicensed firearms were recovered on the scene. Both scenes were secured for further investigation by the SAPS.
It was later established that the same suspects are possibly linked to numerous car dealership business robberies in the Umhlanga and greater Durban area.
Well done to all security members involved working closely with the police to form a stronger force in the fight against crime.
