Five killed in shoot-out with cops

Five suspected robbers have been shot dead and two wounded in a shoot-out with police, following a cash-intransit robbery at Dawn Park, near Springs in Gauteng on Wednesday.

Some of the stolen money was recovered, as well as four firearms with ammunition and three suspected stolen vehicles, according to police spokesperson Colonel Brenda Muridili.

One of the arrested suspects is a police reservist at Elsburg police station, she said.

“The robbery was committed in Galahad Road in Dawn Park where an unknown number of suspects robbed security guards of an undisclosed amount of money before fleeing the scene, leaving one of their vehicles ablaze,” Muridili said.

The Sedibeng tactical response team and Ekurhuleni SWAT team followed up on intelligence which led them to Carol Avenue in Klippoortjie.

“On arrival at the safe house, a shoot-out ensued between the suspects and the police.

“Five suspects were fatally wounded while two were arrested,” Muridili said.

Police confiscated three vehicles that had allegedly been hijacked in separate incidents in Springs, Midrand and Boksburg North this year.

Four unlicensed firearms and ammunition, as well as an undisclosed amount of money, were also seized.

National police commissioner General Khehla Sitole said: “With the build-up to the festive season, there will be heightened vigilance and prioritisation of cash-in-transit robberies, especially in Gauteng province, where it is more prevalent.”