Murder suspects caught after shoot-out
2012-08-14 17:00
Johannesburg - A woman and four boys suspected of killing an elderly farmer have been arrested after a shoot-out and high-speed chase in Knysna, Western Cape police said on Tuesday.
Police arrested the four, aged between 12 and 17, and a 22-year-old woman driving an Isuzu Frontier in the Plettenberg Bay area towards Knysna, Captain Malcolm Pojie said in a statement.
A provincial traffic officer saw the vehicle on Beacon Valley road on Monday evening and noticed it had no number plates.
"He gave chase as the suspicious vehicle sped away in the direction of Knysna," Pojie said.
As the vehicle neared Kwanokuthula, the occupants opened fire on the officer, forcing him to follow at a safer distance. He called for back-up and was joined by the Knysna police and another traffic officer.
"As the vehicle entered Knysna, the driver lost control near the George Rex junction with the N2.
It overturned, careered down the steep embankment and landed in a ditch," Pojie said.
Inside the vehicle were a woman and four boys. The woman and two of the boys suffered serious injuries and were taken to hospital under police guard. The other two were taken to the Knysna police station.
Police believed a sixth passenger managed to run away.
He is believed to be 22 years old, of medium build and dressed in a white, Hi-Tech top. He may have sustained facial injuries in the accident.
"The suspect is regarded to be armed and dangerous and should not be confronted," Pojie said.
Police found a shotgun and five hunting rifles with ammunition as well as suspected stolen items such as cameras, binoculars, clothing, liquor, and cash.
Pojie said the stolen items and the vehicle were the property of a 70-year-old Jansenville farmer, Owen Charles, who was killed in a farm robbery on Sunday night.
His wife was critically injured.
- SAPA
