Armed robbers dressed in SAPS uniform shot dead after high-speed chase
Police recovered unlicenced firearms, SAPS uniforms and blue lights from a VW Golf 7 linked to a spate of robberies between Gauteng and the Free State.
Image: SAPS
Two suspected blue light robbers have been shot and killed during a shootout with police in Parys, Free State.
Police spokesperson, Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, said the incident occurred on Sunday, after a multidisciplinary team acted on intelligence about a Volkswagen Golf 7 allegedly linked to a series of blue light robberies.
The operation involved members from the Tactical Response Team, Traffic Airwing, detectives’ tracking team, SAPS head office counter-intelligence, as well as private security companies.
Nevhuhulwi said the vehicle was spotted travelling along the R59, fitted with blue lights. When officers attempted to stop it, the driver sped off, resulting in a high-speed chase and an exchange of gunfire.
The suspects’ vehicle later lost control and crashed into a fence in the Parys area. Two men, who were dressed in police uniforms, were found dead inside the car.
Officers recovered two unlicensed firearms with ammunition, SAPS uniforms with insignia, blue lights, sirens, and false registration number plates from the vehicle.
Preliminary investigations suggest the suspects were involved in several blue light robberies on the R59 and other roads between Gauteng and the Free State.
Police allege that the suspects would pose as law enforcement officers, hijack motorists, and kidnap them for several hours while forcing them to withdraw money from their bank accounts.
Nevhuhulwi said the police would continue to intensify operations to crack down on blue light robberies and other violent crimes.
Police recovered unlicensed firearms, SAPS uniforms and blue lights from a vehicle linked to a spate of robberies between Gauteng and the Free State.
Image: SAPS
Members of the public were urged not to stop in isolated areas when approached by suspicious vehicles displaying blue lights, but to drive to the nearest police station or filling station.
Crime can be reported anonymously to the Crime Stop line on 08600 10111.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
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