PARKTOWN - Vigilance by members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Gauteng continuously leads to successful arrests and recoveries across the province.

In the early hours of Thursday morning, 15 December 2022 members of SAPS Edenpark recovered a stolen motor vehicle, an unlicensed firearm, ammunition and other items following a shootout with three suspects in Palm Ridge.

A preliminary report suggests the SAPS members were out on a crime prevention patrol when two suspicious looking vehicles passed them while travelling along Sontonga Road in Palm Ridge. The members attempted to intercept the vehicles, but a high-speed car chase ensued.

The suspects then started firing gun shots and the members retaliated where after the driver of the one vehicle lost control. The driver and two other occupants tried to flee the scene while continuing shooting at the police, but sustained gunshot wounds. Two of the suspects were fatally wounded and declared dead at the scene, while the other suspect managed to evade arrest and fled.

Police recovered an unlicensed firearm and ammunition as well as an imitation firearm ("toy gun") and breaking implements found at the scene. Further investigation also revealed that the suspects' vehicle is linked to a theft of motor vehicle case and was subsequently recovered.

Further investigation is still under way.

Source: South African Police Service