IN RECENT weeks, businesspeople in Orange Farm and Evaton in the Vaal, have been complaining about a Toyota Quantum with five armed thugs robbing businesses.
On Monday, 24 April, cops arrested three of the suspects in Evaton after a shoot-out that left one officer wounded.
The officer was rushed to hospital and two other suspects fled the scene on foot.
Gauteng police spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo said the arrested armed robbery suspects are between the ages of 30 and 32.
“At approximately 10.30am, police recovered one of the firearms that were used by the suspects during a robbery,” Masondo said.
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He said police were conducting routine crime prevention patrols when they received information about people who were driving in a white Toyota Quantum minibus and robbing people in the area.
According to Masondo, police went searching for the suspects and spotted the minibus taxi that matched the description and upon stopping the vehicle, the suspects sped off and a high-speed chase started, which led to a shoot-out.
“The taxi was cornered at Palm Springs and three suspects were arrested and the other two fled on foot. Police recovered one firearm and impounded the taxi,” he said.
Masondo said the arrested suspects are facing charges of armed robbery, attempted murder, and possession of an unlicensed firearm, amongst other crimes.
They are expected to appear in the Sebokeng Magistrates Court in due course.
Gauteng provincial commissioner Lieutenant-General Elias Mawela applauded the officers who acted promptly after receiving information from the community and intercepted the suspects.
