Patrolling crime hotspot areas and following up on information in Gelvandale where shootings is rife resulted in the arrest of a 31-year-old suspect and the recovery of a stolen firearm. The Operational Command Centre Task Team were busy with patrols in the area when members followed up on information in Kamma Street, Korsten. While in the area the members heard gunshots being fired and noticed two suspects at the corner of Kamma Street firing shots at each other.
The members immediately responded and identified themselves, they instructed the suspect to put the firearm down and lie down on the ground, but the one suspect pointed the firearm at the members and they returned fire. The suspect then dropped the firearm and walk towards the members.
The suspect was arrested and the firearm recovered while the second suspect fled down Durban Road. The suspect is detained on charges of attempted murder x3, illegal possession of firearm, illegal possession of ammunition and discharge of firearm in residential area. Upon further investigation it was established that the firearm was reported stolen in Port Shepstone, KwaZulu-Natal in 2012. The suspect will appear in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s during the week.
The Cluster Commander for Mount Road Cluster, Major General Thembisile Patekile welcomed the arrest and commended the members on their vigilance because illegal firearms are the main contributors in the commission of serious and violent crimes.