| 2025/03/24 |
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Media Statement PARKTOWN – One suspect was fatally wounded and five others arrested following a shootout between the suspects and a team of law enforcement officers in Westdene, Sophiatown, on Monday, 24 March 2025. Out of the five arrested, two are in hospital, under police guard, as they sustained injuries during a shootout. The suspects are believed to be involved in a number of incidents where churches and places of worship were robbed. They were found in possession of unlicensed firearms and music instruments that they allegedly stole from a church in Florida. Police crime intelligence received information about the suspects who were committing armed robberies and break-ins at places of worship around Gauteng. The information was that a group was to rob a church in Florida. Various law enforcement agencies that include South African Police Service Counter Intelligence Head Office, Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Tracking Team, Gauteng Tactical Response Team, Gauteng Anti-Gang Unit, Gauteng Traffic Police Air Wing, CAP Specialised Operations, Tracker Connect and Bad Boyz Security was activated to intercept the suspects. As they were on a lookout, the team spotted a Toyota Quantum that was said to be used by the suspects driving in Sophiatown. The suspects sped off as they were stopped by the police. A chase ensued. During the chase, the suspects started shooting at the law enforcement officers and a shootout ensued. The suspects’ car crashed into a fence. Five suspects were arrested and one was fatally wounded. Two suspects amongst the five were wounded during the shootout and under police guard in hospital. Police recovered three firearms and ammunition from the suspects. Upon searching their vehicle, police discovered a music system worth more than R2 million, that was reportedly stolen from a church in Florida. Police also seized the Toyota Quantum that was used in the commission of crime. The suspects will be profiled and firearms taken for ballistic tests, to determine if they were used in the commission of other crime Ends
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