Two gun-toting skelms are behind bars after they opened fire on officers using stolen police pistols.
Elsies River Police Station commander, Brigadier Sandile Sonjani, says the two men, aged 18 and 33, were arrested after a chase through Maitland Cemetery on Saturday afternoon.
He says shortly after 1pm, officers received a tip-off about a group of men walking along the railway line from Maitland to Goodwood.
“Officers found the group walking on the train tracks and, as soon as the men saw the police, they ran in different directions,” he says.
“Two males of the group of men fired several shots at police officers as they approached and officers returned fire as the men fled towards Maitland Cemetery.”
Sonjani says officers cornered and apprehended one man on the railway tracks and found him in possession of a 9mm police-issued pistol.
“The second man was apprehended in the Maitland Cemetery, also with a 9mm police-issued pistol. He was injured as he tried fleeing from police during the exchange of gunfire,” Sonjani says.
He says following the arrest, officers discovered that the 9mm pistols were stolen from Sea Point Police Station and Tembisa Police Station in Gauteng.
“The men received medical treatment under police watch. A case of attempted murder on a police officer has been opened for investigation.
“The males will remain in custody until they appear in Goodwood Magistrate's Court.
“I commend this excellent work done by the officers under extremely hazardous conditions, coming under attack as they pursue armed criminals,” he says.