SAPS members’ attentiveness and quick response stopped copper cable thieves in their tracks after a shootout between the suspects and the SAPS members. None of the Police members on the scene and during the pursuit was injured.
It is reported that on Monday, 11 April 2022, at about 19:00, members from Aliwal North Crime Intelligence received information from Queenstown that a Silver VW Amarok was on its way from Queenstown to Aliwal North and it was suspected that stolen copper cables were being transported at the back of the bakkie.
Waylay duties were conducted by Crime Intelligence and Operational Command Centre members on the N6 road near the entrance of Aliwal North from the Queenstown side.
At 20:45, the suspicious vehicle was spotted on the N6 road entering Aliwal North upon which a high-speed chase ensued past the Hertzog Bridge. A shootout between SAPS members and the suspects ensued causing the suspects’ vehicle to crash into the barriers on the left side of the road where it came to a standstill.
The driver of the vehicle alighted from the vehicle and fled on foot while firing shots toward Police members. Police members returned fire however, the suspect jumped over the barrier and managed to evade arrest.
Two suspects, aged 29 and 34, were arrested while a third suspect has been fatally wounded during the shootout.
The arrested suspects will soon appear in court on a charge of attempted murder.
The Acting District Commissioner, Brigadier Rudolph Adolph commended the members for their vigilance and swift response that lead to the recovery of the copper cable while also thanking the community for the positive information that made the success possible.