The BMW that the suspects were driving.
Image: ALS Paramedics
The suspects involved in Thursday's high-speed chase and shoot-out are allegedly linked to several crimes spanning across Ballito, Umdloti and Kloof.
According to Marshall Security, the men were involved in several house break-ins and theft of high-end cars across Durban.
"Working in coordination with Westville SAPS, Durban North SAPS and Umhlali SAPS, Over the past few months, members identified a group of suspects operating in these areas whose modus operandi involved breaking into residential properties in search of vehicle keys before stealing high-end motor vehicles," Powell said.
He said when confronted by homeowners, the suspects would threaten to harm them.
"In several incidents, the suspects reportedly resorted to violence, threatening victims with firearms or knives, tying them up, and fleeing with their vehicles," Powell explained.
He said security teams gathered extensive information on the men, and were able to ascertain that the suspects were using a white BMW to pick up and drop off accomplices at target properties.
Powell said on Thursday, officers following up on intelligence and were led to the Kloof area.
"The white BMW was spotted travelling at high speed along the M13 from Kloof towards Pinetown.
"Members began following the vehicle. Upon the suspects realising they were being followed, the suspects began driving erratically at high speed toward the N3. During the pursuit, the suspects opened fire at the pursuing members where members then returned fire in the direction of the suspects," he said.
The chase ended at the petrol station across from the Pavilion shopping centre.
Powell said the driver exited the vehicle and tried to run. Security officers chased him and managed to apprehend him.
Meanwhile, the second suspect tried to evade capture and jumped over a wall, unaware of the steep drop.
"The suspect fell and sustained severe injuries and was later declared deceased," Powell said.
When security guards got back to the vehicle, they found that a third passenger had sustained fatal gunshot wounds and died inside the vehicle.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda, said the police's preliminary investigations revealed that the BMW vehicle was fitted with cloned number plates.
"Two firearms were found inside the BMW vehicle," he added.
Netshiunda said a case of murder and attempted murder was under investigation.
IOL