‘Wild West’ shootout with Hawks leaves three robbers dead

The lone survivor of a gang of four would-be armed robbers who were involved in a shootout with members of the Hawks is scheduled to appear in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on the East Rand tomorrow.

In what police have described as “scene which almost resembled a Wild West movie”, the gang attempted to fight it out with the officers near Chris Hani Crossing Mall in Vosloorus, where they lay in wait for a member of the public believed to be carrying a large amount of cash.

Suspects were under Hawks surveillance

“The four suspects were at the parking lot in two vehicles, a Ford Figo and a Hyundai i20, waiting for their unsuspecting target to exit the mall after a transaction from the bank,” police spokesperson Captain Lloyd Ramovha explained.

But members of the elite Hawks’ Technical Operations Management Section were also in the area, following up on information received about the planned armed robbery.

The gang panicked when they realised they were under surveillance and fired at an unmarked Hawks vehicle before fleeing the scene.

High-speed chase and deadly shootout

“A high-speed chase ensued, followed by [a] gunfire exchange until one of the suspects’ vehicles crashed into another parked vehicle on the side of the road near Huntersfield Stadium,” Ramovha explained.

“Two suspects had already succumbed to injuries, whilst the other was taken to hospital where he later died. The driver of the Hyundai was also intercepted and detained following the skirmish.”

One of the vehicles used by the gang was reported as hijacked last month.

The surviving suspect faces multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit robbery, attempted murder, and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.