House robbery suspect fatally wounded during a shootout with police while three are arrested

Gauteng police arrested three house robbery suspects while the fourth one was fatally wounded during a shootout with the police in Parkwood, Johannesburg, on Monday 31 January 2022, at approximately 12h30.

It is reported that four armed suspects, driving in a Jeep Renegade, forced their entry into a house in Parkwood and found the owner of the house where a scuffle erupted. The suspects shot the owner and drove off at hi-speed.

Police from Provincial Serious and Violent Crime Unit, Tactical Response Team, and Johannesburg K9, who were in a crime combating operation in the area, together with CAP Security and Fidelity Specialised Services, heard gunshots and responded promptly. The suspects started shooting at the officers as they were approaching.

A shootout and hi-speed chase ensued, resulting in one suspect fatally being wounded and three suspects arrested. Police recovered three unlicensed firearms with ammunition. Preliminary investigation revealed that the car used by the suspects was fitted with false registration plates and was reported to be hijacked in Brackendowns precinct last year.

Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Elias Mawela commended the team of law enforcement agencies that responded swiftly and disrupted the group of four that is suspected to be responsible for serious and violent crimes in Johannesburg. “The collaboration between the police and private security companies continues to yield positive results. These criminals will be profiled and the firearms sent for ballistic tests to establish if they are not linked to other crimes in the province,” said Lieutenant General Mawela.

The arrested suspects will be charged with attempted house robbery, attempted murder, inquest, possession of the hijacked vehicle, and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition. They are expected to appear at Johannesburg Magistrates Court on Tuesday 01 February 2022.