'Hijackers' held in Springs

2008-12-12 19:07

Johannesburg - Four suspected hijackers were wounded during a shoot-out with the police in Springs on Friday morning, Johannesburg police said.

Police saw the men standing at the side of the Paul Kruger Highway at 04:30 and approached them when they were picked up by a Volkswagen Golf, said Inspector Tommy Tomilson.

"When approached by police the car sped off, leading up to a high-speed car chase where a shoot-out ensured between the suspects and the police."

All four men were wounded and arrested. They were under police guard in hospital, said Tomilson.

Police believe the same men were involved in a hijacking on Thursday in Brakpan, where a Land Rover driver was shot at his home at 22:00.

The man and his wife had just returned home and parked their car in the yard when the incident occurred.

"The wife got off the car and went into the house when the men pounced on her husband. He was shot on his back when he tried to run towards the house," Tomilson said.

Later that night, the police's flying squad spotted the hijacked Land Rover abandoned near the Rus 'n Bietjie old age home in Springs.

Five security guards had been robbed off their cellphones at a nearby shopping centre. Police believed the hijackers were also involved in this incident.

"Two guns and five cellphones were found in their possessions. We strongly believe all these cases are linked," said Tomilson.

A fifth robber was thought to be on the run, he said.

"We found bullets from another firearm which is not part of the two we've confiscated. We are missing a gun, hence we believe one of the suspects is on the run."

- SAPA