Two robbers shot by police

By Jurina Nkwazi
31 August 2010

Police shot and wounded two men suspected of robbery on Monday in Hercules near Pretoria.

Lieutenant Colonel Eugene Opperman said "Two suspects were critically wounded when police came under attack in Hercules outside Pretoria.

Police were shot at when they came across a business burglary in progress during the early hours of Monday morning,"

Four men were spotted in a blue VW Combi outside Lewis store when police were patrolling the area.

The men smashed the store's windows and loaded flat screens onto the Combi.Police opened fire when one of the suspects in the Combi pointed a firearm at them.

"A shoot-out ensued and the suspects sped away from the scene. The police officers gave chase," said Opperman.

"The chase took them onto the Mabopane freeway where the suspects again fired at the officers who returned fire.

The Combi's wheel was shot out, forcing it to stop.

"The four flat screen televisions were recovered and the suspects were arrested.

Two of the suspects were wounded and taken to hospital.

The other two men will appear in the Protea Magistrates' court on Thursday.