The police seized a pistol and three bullets from the alleged cellphone tower battery thieves. Photo: SAPS.
Police: Alleged cellphone tower battery thief killed in a shootout
‘When police approached the suspects, they were met by a hail of bullets and there was an exchange of gunfire,’ said a spokesperson.
The police seized a pistol and three bullets from the alleged cellphone tower battery thieves. Photo: SAPS.
The police in KwaZulu-Natal killed an alleged cellphone tower battery thief on Saturday night, 15 January. Officers were met with a “hail of bullets” after following a lead on four suspects, which led to a fatal shootout.
POLICE KILL SUSPECT
South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Nqobile Gwala said the officers from Amangwe and Estcourt received a tipoff about a group of suspects that were tampering with cellphone tower batteries with the intent to steal.
The four suspects were traced to the Nyezane area of Amangwe.
“When police approached the suspects, they were met by a hail of bullets and there was an exchange of gunfire,” said Gwala.
One suspect was shot and killed, another escaped from the police and the remaining two were arrested. The cops confiscated a pistol with three bullets, two vehicles, an angle grinder and a crowbar.
The search for the escapee continues. The arrested pair – aged 26 and 35 – appeared before the Estcourt Magistrate’s Court on Monday on charges of attempted murder, unlawful possession of a firearm, ammunition and tampering with the essential infrastructure.
The crowbar and angle grinder were seized from the suspects on Saturday. Photo SAPS.
The police also confiscated a weapon, ammunition and two cars. Photo: SAPS.
