Man kills self to avoid arrest

2009-09-23 17:03

Johannesburg - A suspected robber shot and killed himself in Midrand on Wednesday when police attempted to arrest him, Johannesburg police said.

Inspector Moses Maphakela said the man was part of a four-man group, sitting "suspiciously" in a car outside the Carlswald Shopping Centre.

Police checked the car's registration plates and found them to be "false".

Police went to the parking lot and when the men in the car saw them, they sped off, opening fire on the officers.

"The officers fired back and one suspect was critically wounded and another sustained minor injuries," said Maphakela. Both were in hospital under police guard.

When police tried to arrest the third gunman, he shot himself in the head and was declared dead at the scene.

A fourth man was arrested.

Police recovered ammunition and a revolver, three 9mm pistols and a pump-action shotgun at the scene.
 

- SAPA