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An alleged thief, who was wounded while his two alleged accomplices were killed in a shootout with police on Tuesday, has been arrested.
He is accused of being part of the group of three, believed to be part of a union that commits commercial robberies in and around the Tshwane district. They have allegedly been linked to at least 10 commercial thefts.
“These three suspects are believed to be part of a union that has also been linked to cash theft in transit (CIT).” Since the start of the blockade, the union has been committing commercial robberies, “said police spokesman Colonel Brenda Muridili.
On Tuesday, the police Tactical Response Team (TRT), supported by the National Transit Cash Task Force, conducted an intelligence-driven operation in Akasia in Gauteng, which resulted in a shootout between the police and three suspects, Muridili said.
The operation followed a notice that the three were planning to steal business premises in Amandasig, near Wonder Park.
“The suspects arrived after the business had already closed and decided to leave the area. Police chased the suspects’ vehicle that did not have license plates with three occupants. Subsequently, the members tried to stop the bakkie at the corner of Doreen and First streets in the Chantelle suburb, which resulted in a shooting, “Muridili said.
One suspect was killed on the scene and another died upon arrival at a local hospital.
The third managed to flee on foot, but was detained on Friday night. He was wounded during the shooting and is in a hospital under police surveillance.
“He will appear in court as soon as he is medically fit to do so,” said Muridili.
After the shooting, the police recovered three firearms and a bakkie.
“The firearms will be taken to the forensic science laboratory for ballistics tests to determine if they have been used in other crimes. The bakkie, which is suspected of being stolen, is being analyzed by the SAPS Vehicle Identification Unit, “Muridili said.
CIT’s national task force previously arrested four members of the same union in separate incidents in April.
They all face charges ranging from aggravated robbery and commercial robbery to possession of stolen vehicles and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
“All four have already appeared in various courts and [are] in custody. All of the arrested men are linked to CIT robberies and it is believed that since the closure began, they have been targeting businesses that are operating, such as supermarkets, “Muridili said.
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