The South African Police Service top management has welcomed the efforts by the National Intervention Unit and the Crime Intelligence for foiling robbery as well as saving the lives of security officials in Port Elizabeth today.
At approximately 11h00 this morning, a gang of robbers, travelling in three vehicles, a Blue Bantam, White Toyota Hilux and White Polo, opened fire on a security vehicle delivering metals at a business in Deal Party, Port Elizabeth.
Members from both our National Intervention Unit and Crime Intelligence responded and engaged in a gun battle which resulted in five of the suspects (all adult males) being shot dead. Another two suspects were seriously injured and two others were arrested uninjured. The injured suspects were taken to a local hospital under police guard.
Sadly, two innocent bystanders (adult males) were caught in the cross fire. One man was killed and the other wounded and receiving medical attention in Hospital.
Police recovered two of the vehicles used by the robbers, the white VW Polo, which is suspected to have been stolen in Algoa Park in September 2011, two R5 rifles and three 9mm pistols. The Blue Bantam Bakkie was later found abandoned in Swartkops.
It is clear from the weapons the suspects were carrying and their lack of consideration for the innocent when they opened fire randomly that they were going to eliminate anyone that came in their path of crime. The quick response by police results from our on-going nationally driven festive season operations which prioritise heists, mall robberies, etc. Criminals must be warned that police will fight fire with fire as was the case today.
Media Contact:
Colonel Vishnu Naidoo
Cell: 082 567 4153
E-mail: naidoov@saps.org.za
Police response to attempted heist must be applauded
