GQEBERHA - GUNFIGHT & FOOT CHASE LEADS THE ARREST OF SUSPECT AND CONFISCATION OF 3 9MM PISTOLS

Swift reaction to information received resulted in the arrest of one suspect and the recovery of three stolen firearms by Gqeberha Flying Squad members last night, 20 January 2022.

It is alleged that at about 19:00, the members spotted the two suspicious vehicles, a white VW Polo and a white Ford Ranger travelling on the M20 Road towards Kariega.  

After spotting the police vehicles, the white VW Polo stopped and three males alighted and started shooting at the police. 

The members retaliated and the vehicles sped away before the suspects could get back into the vehicle. 

The three suspects started running into the bushes with the members hot on their heels.

 One suspect, aged 57 years was apprehended while the other two managed to escape in the bushes. 

Three 9mm pistols were recovered. 

The firearms were reported stolen early in January 2022 in a robbery in Motherwell.

The suspect is detained on a charge of attempted murder, illegal possession of firearms and illegal possession of ammunition. 

Detectives will be probing possible links to other crimes in the Nelson Mandela Bay metro. 

The hunt for the two other suspects is continuing.

Acting Nelson Mandela Bay District Commissioner, Brigadier Thandiswa Kupiso applauded the excellent arrest and recovery by the members. Police officers risk their lives daily to protect our communities and an attack on the police is an attack on the State and those responsible will be harshly dealt with. The confiscation of these firearms is an indication that we, the police are serious on clamping down on illegal firearms and we will  continue to do so in our efforts to remove these firearms from circulation as they are being used to commit serious and violent crimes,’ added Brig Kupiso.