Trainee cops get taste of job
2008-05-15 10:00
Pretoria - Three men, aged between 25 and 30, were arrested by student police officers in Pretoria West on Wednesday after a chase through the city streets, said Gauteng police.
Captain Tessa Jansen said the seven students were on a 2.5km jog in Vouter Street at noon for fitness training when they heard screams.
The students saw a woman being robbed of her handbag at gunpoint by four men. The men then jumped into a car and fled.
The students shouted at their field training officer and told him what had happened. The students climbed into a police vehicle and chased after the men.
On Zeiller Street, the four robbers collided with a bakkie, but kept on driving.
In Servaas Street, the officers fired a warning shot and the robbers lost control and crashed their car.
Cops recovered handbag and cash
They then ran off, with the officer and students hot on their heels. Three were arrested, and the fourth escaped.
Inside the car, police recovered a handbag containing cash and personal items.
Police also seized two firearms and ammunition.
Jansen said the men were due to appear before Pretoria Magistrate's Court on Friday on charges of armed robbery, reckless driving, driving away from an accident scene, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition and possession of suspected stolen goods.
- SAPA