Cyclists, robbers in shootout

2003-08-17 21:24

Johannesburg - Two cyclists were arrested in Honeydew north of Johannesburg on Sunday after shooting a man who was allegedly trying to steal their bicycles at gunpoint.

Captain Tshisikhawe Ndou said the two told police they were cycling along Boundary Road at about 08:00 when six men armed with handguns ran into the road and tried to steal their bicycles.

The cyclists were carrying their own guns and a shootout apparently ensued during which one of the alleged robbers was shot twice in the face.

He was taken to hospital in a critical condition while his five companions ran away.

Ndou said police opened an attempted murder docket as a matter of procedure and the pair would spend the night in custody.

They would appear in the Randburg magistrate's court on Monday when the public prosecutor would take a decision on whether to pursue the case, Ndou said.

- SAPA