Attempted murder suspects remanded in custody
ALEXANDRA – Bail application of hijacking suspects fails.
Two suspects were remanded in custody at the Alex Magistrates’ Court pending further investigation into the alleged hijacking of a motor vehicle and alleged attempted murder of police officers.
An accomplice is still at large and wanted in connection with the incidents, which occurred on 31 March and 6 April last year.
The three armed men allegedly hijacked a Kia Cerato from an elderly woman at noon on 31 March in Ekurhuleni. They pounced on her as she was dropping her grandchild at home in Alberton. The suspects also stopped and allegedly took the vehicle keys from a witness who had followed them after noticing them driving around in a suspicious manner.
The vehicle which was reported stolen was spotted by the Flying Squad in Hillbrow five days later (6 April) with three occupants. The police followed the vehicle onto the M2 freeway and when the suspects noticed they were being followed, they took the Corlett Drive off-ramp.
A car chase ensued towards Kew with the suspects allegedly shooting at the police who returned fire. The chase proceeded onto Old Pretoria and Arkwright roads and ended on Grayston Drive where the suspects’ vehicle spun out of control and came to a stop after smashing into a steel roadside barrier.
The three suspects jumped out of the vehicle and one managed to escape while the other two were arrested on the scene.
One had gunshot wounds and was taken to a hospital where he received treatment under police guard. The two men have appeared in court several times to secure bail, to no avail.
Edited by Beryl Knipe
Read: Most wanted criminal nabbed in Hillbrow
