WESTERN CAPE – Yesterday morning, 21 February 2022, members of the Maitland Flying Squad were deployed in Halt Road Elsies River to curb robbery and shooting related incidents that were reported. While the members were on patrol they were stopped by a member of the public who informed them that an unknown male was shooting at him and gave a description. The members noticed the suspect in a side road and gave chase. The suspect pointed the police members with a firearm in which the members fired at the suspect injuring him in the right arm. A 24 year old suspect was arrested and a 9mm pistol with no serial number with ammunition was recovered.

In an unrelated incident Atlantis police members attended to a complaint on Saturday, 19 February 2022, in Hornbill Crescent, Robinvale. Upon arrival the victim complaint that he was assaulted over his head with a firearm, and directed the police in the direction the suspect walked. When the police members entered Hobby Avenue, they noticed a group of young people sitting around a fire. As the patrol vehicle stopped, one of the boys tried to flee, dropping an object in full view of the police members, but was apprehended. Upon searching the area, they confiscated a firearm under a tree, covered with blood. The 14 year old boy was arrested and detained on a charge of possession of an unlicensed firearm.

Once charged the suspects are expected to make their respective court appearance in the Goodwood and Atlantis Magistrate court.

Furthermore members of the Maitland Flying Squad received information last night about cigarettes at a premises in Bellville following a robbery of a cigarette delivery vehicle last week. The members followed up the information and searched the premises and found 288 cartons of cigarettes on the premises. No arrests have been made. An enquiry was opened for investigation into the matter.

Source: South African Police Service