Cops kill suspect in shoot-out
2009-05-04 09:12
Durban - A suspected criminal was shot dead during a heavy exchange of gunfire between police and robbers in Durban on Monday morning, police said.
Superintendent Jay Naicker said members of the Flying Squad spotted a stolen silver Toyota RunX in Pine Street at 04:30.
The vehicle had been stolen during a house robbery in Cato Manor on Friday, he said.
"When police officials approached the vehicle, the suspects fled and police gave chase.
"The suspects opened fire on the police. Police fired back during the chase to Cato Manor, a few kilometres away from the city centre.
"Police officials managed to pull the vehicle over at Cato Manor and one suspect was killed in the exchange of gunfire."
Naicker said two other assailants managed to flee. Police suspect that one of them was injured during the shootout.
"Four other occupants found in the vehicle have been taken in for questioning. We also recovered a pistol on the scene.
"The Toyota RunX and a blue VW Golf, together with other valuables, were taken in the house robbery," said Naicker.
Last week, two SA Police Service officers, a truck driver and a suspected criminal died in a shootout between police and robbers in Durban's city centre.
Naicker said Monday's incident showed that police officers are well "equipped and prepared to take appropriate steps when criminals attempt to kill them".
- SAPA