Two suspected hijackers arrested after firing at police in car chase
Two suspects, Shimmy Joseph Makhubedi (29) and Thomas Sikhathi Sindane (42) appeared before the Mokobola Magistrate’s Court today facing charges of attempted murder and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
The suspects’ appearance came after police were conducting a routine patrol at Gemsbokspruit, Kwaggafontein yesterday at about 15:00 when they received a lookout message for a white Toyota Hilux that had been hijacked in Ekangala, Gauteng two hours earlier.
The police spotted the vehicle fitting the above description with two occupants, called for back-up and gave chase; the KwaMhlanga Cluster Crime Combating Task Team responded swiftly and joined the chase. During the pursuit, the suspects abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot in different directions; the police also parted ways and followed them on foot.
When the duo realised that the police were persistent, they started firing shots at the officers, who were compelled to retaliate. The police who were chasing at Makhubedi commanded him to stop and surrender to which he complied. He was found in possession of a 9mm Pietro Berreta pistol with the serial number filed as well as four rounds of live ammunition after which he was arrested.
Sindane, the second suspect, continued to run; with the assistance of the community, he eventually surrendered. Two more pistols, a 9mm Norinco with five live rounds of ammunition and a 7.65 with seven rounds of ammunition were seized from him.
Both firearms were taken to the police station for further investigation.
During further inquiry, the duo confessed to have been part of the group that robbed the Verena Police Station two weeks back. In that robbery, about eight men held two police officials hostage at the Community Service Centre and robbed them of their firearms and personal belongings.
Police members went to their house for a search, where they found live ammunition for a R5 rifle.
During lunchtime today, another suspect was nabbed at Mamelodi and a firearm and ammunition was seized.
All the firearms will be sent for ballistic testing to determine whether they were used in the commission of any other crimes; profiling of the suspects is also underway to determine their scope of involvement in other crimes.
The thugs were remanded in custody until 27 August 2015, pending a formal bail application.
The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General (Adv) Dumisa Magadlela has applauded the Task Team and all the members who arrested these notorious suspects, for the job well done.
“I am very impressed with these members as they show that they will not allow criminals to terrorise fellow members and the community”, he said.
Related Posts
« Stolen property recovered in police operations in Nyanga Pretoria pedestrian crash leaves man critically injured »
