KZN tavern robbery chase turns deadly: Three suspects fatally shot by police
Three suspects were killed after they allegedly initiated a shootout with police following a tavern robbery in Newlands West.
Image: AI / ChatGPT
A police pursuit and harrowing shootout led to the fatal shooting of three suspects who were believed to be involved in a tavern robbery near Durban in KwaZulu-Natal on December 30.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Newlands East was alerted to a business robbery in the Honeyrich area of Newlands West on Tuesday. When police arrived at the scene, five suspects had already fled in a white Toyota Etios after holding the business owner at gunpoint, according to a statement released by the SAPS.
The suspects allegedly stole cellphones, alcohol and an undisclosed sum of money from the proprietor.
After patrolling the area, officers spotted the white Etios and gave chase, activating their sirens and blue lights.
Initially, the driver refused to stop, but then events took a dramatic and dangerous turn after the car screeched to a halt and its occupants exited the vehicle and opened fire on police.
The quick-thinking SAPS members immediately returned fire, fatally wounding three of the suspects, while the remaining two fled into the bush.
The officers recovered the aforementioned stolen items, as well as a 9mm pistol, at the scene of the shooting.
Cases of attempted murder on police, business robbery and possession of an unlicensed firearm have been opened.
The office of the Provincial Commissioner of KwaZulu-Natal stated that the investigation is ongoing and that police continue to search for the two suspects who fled the scene on foot.
IOL News