By Kaya 959 Reporter
A Soshanguve robbery suspect’s freedom bid was short-lived after he was arrested while receiving treatment in hospital.
The man was allegedly shot in the head during a heated gun battle with police. According to police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Johan van Dyk, the accused sought treatment at a local hospital, claiming that he was wounded in a hijacking.
Van Dyk said the suspect underwent surgery at the weekend to remove the bullet from his head. He said police were called to the Netcare Montana Hospital after the suspect arrived in a Datsun Go that was riddled with bullet holes.
The injured suspect was arrested. He was then transferred, under police guard, to a government hospital. A second man, believed to be the suspect’s accomplice, was also seeking treatment.
Van Dyk said both men were allegedly part of a gang of four who targeted an elderly woman who had been withdrawing cash at a local ATM.
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Woman robbed at gunpoint
It is alleged that on Friday, the four men robbed the woman at gunpoint.
A police officer who witnessed the robbery responded and the suspects opened fire on him, van Dyk said.
He said when the wounded men arrived at the hospital, their stories did not add up. He added that the men claimed to have been hijacked.
Two other suspects are still at large. Police are investigating further.
Meanwhile, police arrested over 600 suspects in Tshwane at the weekend.
Police said about 188 arrests were made during the O Kae Molao/High-Density Operation on Friday in the Soshanguve and Rietgat’s precincts respectively.
Amongst the arrested 46 were nabbed for gender-based violence while six foreigners were charged for contravening the Immigration Act and the rest were for the commission of various crimes.
The operation also closed several liquor outlets which operated without valid licences.
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