Three suspected blue light robbers were killed in a shootout with police and private security companies in Sandton, north of Johannesburg. Police arrested the fourth suspect during the incident on Wednesday evening.
According to police, Crime Intelligence officers had been following up on a tip-off about a group who were committing hijackings and armed robberies in the Johannesburg northern suburbs. The suspects used vehicles fitted with blue lights to disguise themselves as law enforcement officers at times.
Lieutenant-Colonel Mavela Masondo, the police spokesperson said information was given to a team consisting of Gauteng Traffic Police, Gauteng Highway Patrol Unit, Gauteng Traffic Police, and Vision Tactical among the other security companies which were present.
“The team was on the lookout for suspects when they spotted a Ford Figo hatchback, with four occupants, travelling in Bramley. Members attempted to stop the vehicle, but the suspects responded by shooting at the members while speeding off. A shootout and high-speed chase ensued.”
Masondo said the suspects get away vehicle lost control and crashed into the wall at Marlboro Drive. “All the suspects jumped out of the car and the shootout continued. Three of the suspects were fatally wounded and one was arrested on the scene. Police recovered three unlicensed firearms with ammunition and blue LED flashlight. It was established that the vehicle driven by the suspects was hijacked in Bramley earlier this month,” said Masondo.
“The multidisciplinary team of law enforcement agencies continues to squeeze the space for the criminals in Gauteng, as more and more suspects are intercepted, and unlicensed firearms recovered.”
