DURBAN – Yesterday, four suspects aged between 25 and 37 were arrested by police on charges of business robbery, attempted murder and possession of explosives.

It is alleged that yesterday at 23:00, police responded to a report of a burglary in progress at a shopping centre on St Johns Avenue in Pinetown. Upon arrival at the scene police spotted a group of men attempting to flee the premises and they opened fire at police.  Four of the suspects were subsequently apprehended and were found in possession of cellphones, drills, gloves, a crowbar and explosives.

Whilst the police were busy on the scene, they observed a white vehicle driving in the vicinity. When police officers approached the vehicle, the suspects sped off. Police gave chase and the suspects abandoned the vehicle on Wilson Drive in Caversham Glen. Upon searching the vehicle, police found various pieces of police uniform, a bullet proof vest and a firearm with sixteen rounds of ammunition.

The security guard who was at the shopping centre later arrived and he informed police that he was on duty when the same vehicle with five occupants in police uniform arrived at the scene. The security guard was forced into the vehicle and the panic button was taken away from him. He was dropped off in the bushes in New Germany. The suspects gained entry into the receiving area and they stole two cellphones from one of the shops.

The arrested suspects are expected to appear in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court tomorrow.

Source: South African Police Service