By Everson Luhanga
- The officer used a patrol car to go after robbers who tied up his neighbour and stole her electronics.
- One man was shot and caught. Two others ran into the bushes and are still on the run.
A Johannesburg metro police officer chased down three armed robbers who broke into his neighbour’s house.
The robbers tied up the woman in her home in Protea Glen, Soweto, and pointed a gun at her. Then they stole her appliances and fled in a stolen car.
The officer, who was off duty at the time, jumped into a patrol car and sped after them.
Spokesperson for the Johannesburg Metro Police Department, Xolani Fihla, said the suspects were driving a maroon Renault Clio that had already been reported stolen earlier that day.
The officer caught up with the car at the intersection of Impala Road and saw the three robbers jump out.
“He saw that one of them had a gun and fired his service weapon,” said Fihla.
One of the men was shot and injured. The other two ran into the bushes and have not yet been found.
Inside the abandoned car, police recovered televisions, cellphones and gaming consoles stolen from the woman’s house.
The wounded suspect was taken to hospital under police guard.
Fihla said they believe the robbers may be connected to other break-ins in the area.
Johannesburg Metro Police Chief Commissioner Patrick Jaca said: “I commend the swift and brave action of our off-duty officer. His commitment to our communities is outstanding.”
A case of house robbery, possession of stolen goods and possession of a stolen vehicle has been opened at the Protea Glen police station.
Pictured above: Police lights.
Image source: File
