Excellent teamwork between the policing units resulted in the speedy arrest of one of two suspects who allegedly shot and injured a man in Rochelle Street in Perridgevale this afternoon, 26 July 2018.
According to police information, at about 11:40, the 45-year-old victim was on his way home and while walking in Rochelle Street, he was approached by two men. An altercation ensued between them and one of the men fired shots at the victim. The suspects then ran off. The man sustained gunshot wounds to his face and neck.
Immediately after the incident, PE Flying Squad members were hot on the heels of the suspects. Description of the fleeing suspects were given and members spotted them. The suspects split up and one was seen scaling over several boundary walls of houses in Egmont Street. Members surrounded one of the houses and the suspect was arrested in the yard. A black bag containing a .22 pistol and ammunition was also found. A cell phone was also found on one property.
The suspect will be detained on charges of prohibited possession of a firearm, illegal possession of ammunition and possession of suspected stolen property.
The injured victim was taken to hospital and has since undergone surgery. At this stage, it is unclear whether anything was taken from him. A case of attempted murder has been opened.
Detectives will be probing the possible link of the arrested suspect with the attempted murder case. Additional charges will be added after police have interviewed the victim. The search for the second suspect is still continuing.
Mount Road Cluster Commander, Maj Gen Thembisile Patekile has commended the members for their swift response and apprehension of the suspect. “Our police members will continue in their unwavering endeavours in ensuring that our communities are safe, criminals arrested and sent to jail. Their quick reaction and the recovery of the firearm is an indication that we will not allow criminals space for them to conduct their unlawful criminal acts,” added Major General Patekile.