Cop wounded in shootout
2003-09-01 18:46
Johannesburg - An East Rand police officer is in a serious condition after being wounded in a shoot-out with cash heist robbers on Monday in Katlehong.
Superintendent Andy Pieke said that a Fidelity guard was robbed of a cash trunk just after noon at the Score shopping centre, Masakane Street, Katlehong.
The driver of the cash-in-transit vehicle chased the two fleeing robbers. A police inspector who witnessed the event ran after them.
The Fidelity driver managed to knock over an alleged robber, who shot at him. The driver returned fire.
The police inspector also opened fire. He was shot in the stomach and the suspect was wounded in the neck.
Police who shortly after arrived at the scene recovered the stolen cashbox and an unlicensed firearm.
The policeman was undergoing abdominal surgery at the Union hospital in Alberton late on Monday. His condition was serious.
The wounded suspect was taken to Johannesburg Hospital.
- SAPA