...By Gift BADEWO for TDPel Media.
Armed Robbery Suspect Fatally Wounded, Another Injured, and One Arrested
An armed robbery occurred in Kempton Park, resulting in one suspect being fatally wounded, one seriously injured and taken to the hospital under police guard, and one arrested.
Lieutenant Colonel Kelebogile Thepa, the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) spokesperson, explained the incident.
According to her, on May 6, 2023, at approximately 1:00 pm, members of the EMPD Specialised Task Team noticed a white VW Polo driving recklessly along Voortrekker road in Kempton Park with its rear number plates removed.
Chase and Exchange of Gunfire
While pursuing the vehicle into the CBD, the suspects pointed firearms at the metro vehicle.
The EMPD officers engaged in a chase, and the suspects’ vehicle lost control and came to a stop on the corner of Spitfire and Catalina Road in Rhodesfield, hitting a pole next to a vehicle dealership.
The officers then retaliated and stopped the three suspects in their tracks.
One Suspect Fatally Wounded and One Arrested
During the exchange of gunfire, one suspect was fatally wounded, while one was in a serious condition and taken to the hospital under police guard, and one was arrested on the spot.
Lieutenant Colonel Kelebogile Thepa stated that while on the scene, a complainant claimed that the same suspects had robbed her cellphone earlier.
Two cellphones were discovered in the possession of the suspects, one of which belonged to the woman.
Charges and Firearms Recovered
A case of armed robbery, possession of unlicensed firearms, and reckless and negligent driving was registered at the Kempton Park SAPS.
Two firearms were discovered, and further investigation would reveal whether they had been used in the commission of other crimes.
The EMPD praised the sterling work in halting the criminals in their tracks.
