A high-speed chase started in Ottawa which led to the arrest of two suspects in Phoenix and two firearms were recovered. This happened today around 16:30.
A policeman stationed at the Verulam SAPS witnessed the robbery and called for backup to the RUSA. The robbery occurred at R102 and Tottenham road (parkgate) intersection. After noticing that they were being monitored by the policeman, the suspects fled from the scene in a silver VW polo in the direction of Phoenix.
The Reaction Unit South Africa dispatched all available officers to provide assistance to the SAPS Official who was in pursuit of the armed gang. After some minutes of the chase, the robbers failed to negotiate a bend off the southbound lane of the R102 heading to Phoenix which led to a crush.
The three suspects split up and fled into the dense bush on opposite sides of the road. Reaction Officers surrounded the area and conducted a coordinated search of the area.
The RUSA R44 Helicopter lifted off to assist in tracking the fleeing suspects. The aircraft hovered above the bush while the Pilot & crew kept observation of the area.
The first suspect was arrested by Reaction Officers approximately 1.2 kilometers west of the crash site while his accomplice was arrested by a second team of RUSA Members approximately 900 meters east of the scene.
During an interview, one of the men informed Law Enforcement Officers that he was from Lusikisiki – Eastern Cape. He recruited one of the suspects from Hammersdale to assist in the robbery.
According to the second suspect, he was employed as a driver for an E-Hailing company. He stated that he conducted the robbery due to peer pressure using the company VW Polo. He further stated that they followed the truck that was delivering boxes of chips to stores in Tongaat.
As they neared Ottawa they forced the vehicle off the road and held up the driver. They were in the process of breaking into the safe when the Police Officer spotted them.
Two firearms, cable ties, counterfeit notes, and a hammer were recovered in the vehicle.
