Police rescued a family of three who were kidnapped at gunpoint from their Barberton home. After a shootout with police, one suspect was killed and another arrested. Three other suspects remain at large.
A Barberton man, his wife and their nine-month-old baby boy escaped unharmed when police rescued them from their kidnappers on Friday, reports Lowvelder. This followed five armed robbers who stormed into the family’s Barberton home at about 21:45 that evening and held them hostage. The intruders stole an undisclosed amount of cash and some other items before forcing the three victims into the family’s white Ford Ranger.
\“As they were driving around, some SAPS members who were busy with routine patrols spotted the suspicious bakkie, and acting out of vigilance, the officers gave chase,” said a provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Donald Mdhluli. He said the suspects refused to stop when signalled to do so and instead fired shots at the police. “The officers responded accordingly to defend themselves. “It was during this time when one of the suspects was shot dead,” added Mdhluli. \One suspect, aged 35, was subsequently arrested and it was only then that the SAPS discovered the family were being held hostage. The three other perpetrators managed to flee on foot and police are looking for them. The SAPS recovered the bakkie, a 9mm pistol, a magazine, 27 rounds of live ammunition and some household items belonging to the victims. “The recovered firearm will undergo ballistic testing to determine whether it has been used in previous crimes. Depending on these results more charges could be added against the suspect,” said Mdhluli. \He said the suspect in custody is facing charges of house robbery, kidnapping, attempted murder of police officers and the unlawful possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. The shooting incident is being investigated by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate. The acting provincial police commissioner, Major General Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi, condemned the attacks on police officers, saying it is a direct attack on the state. He also commended the officers for their good work
Kidnapping Armed Robbery Police Chase Shootout Barberton
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