PRETORIA – An operation by the Hawks’ Tactical Operational Management Section resulted in the arrest of six suspects and the recovery of an AK 47 rifle, two pistols, ammunition as well as two hijacked vehicles.

The Hawks team assisted by the Ekurhuleni District Tactical team, Crime Intelligence, Tracker Connect, GTP Saturation Unit and Badboyz Security Response were searching for suspects involved in armed robberies in Johannesburg, using a white Kia minibus after intelligence was received that the suspects were enroute to commit a robbery in the Johannesburg Central.

The suspects were spotted on the M2 highway and the team attempted to stop the suspects. A shootout ensued and the suspects’ vehicle crashed onto other vehicles as they tried to flee. Three suspects were immediately arrested. The fourth suspect attempted to escape by hijacking a Toyota bakkie while the fifth suspect hid in the bushes. They were both arrested. Information was followed on the sixth suspect who was arrested in a manhole in the CBD.

Five of the suspects sustained gunshot wounds and were taken to hospital under police guard. The investigation revealed that the suspects’ vehicle was hijacked in Heidelberg last month.

The suspects will be charged with attempted murder, hijacking, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition as well as possession of stolen vehicle. They will appear in court soon.

Source: South African Police Service