WESTERN CAPE - Four suspects are due to appear in court following their arrest for alleged involvement in several serious crimes in the Browns Farm area.

A 17-year-old suspect was arrested last night after he was found in possession of an unlicensed firearm. Police officers on patrol heard gun shots from a residence in Vukuthu Street. They rushed towards the residence, and as they were approaching, two unknown suspects, one armed, came out of the house, pointed a firearm towards the police and fired again, dropped it and tried to flee. The police fired back and caught and arrested the 17-year-old.

Further investigation revealed that the suspect and accomplices were busy robbing the occupant and his friend when the police heard the gun shots. The suspects had met with the two victims while they were walking in Mlonji Street and forced them into a yard, searched them and robbed them.

The other suspects, aged 14, 25 and 28, were arrested after they hijacked and robbed an e-hailing driver in Kamango Street. The vehicle was found parked at the residence in Vukuthu Street. One suspect was arrested and further questioning led to the arrest of the other two accomplices.

All four suspects are due to appear in Athlone Magistrate’s Court this week once charged.

The 17-year-old will face charges of attempted murder and possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition, the 14- and 25-year-old suspects on robbery and possession of a stolen vehicle, and the 28-year-old will face hijacking charges.

Editor: Anchen Coetzee
Subeditor: Wahl Lessing
Submitted by: Capt FC Van Wyk