A Heinz Park teen is behind bars for allegedly trying to hijack a woman and opening fire on Law Enforcement officers.
Law Enforcement spokesperson, Wayne Dyason, says the 16-year-old boy was arrested by officers of the Rail Enforcement Metal Theft Unit shortly after 7pm on Thursday while conducting patrols in cable theft hotspots near the railway line in Philippi East.
“Whilst on patrol at the New Eisleben Road bridge they observed three unknown males with firearms attempting to hijack a female driver.
“The officers reacted quickly and instructed the suspects to drop their weapons, the suspects in a show of defiance, fired several shots at the officers.
“The officers returned fire and the suspects unfortunately managed to flee into Heinz Park.”
He says offices attended to the shocked victim and managed to obtain a statement from her with regards to the attempted hijacking.
“A few moments later with the assistance of Metro Police they managed to apprehend a suspect that was positively linked to the crime.
“The female victim was robbed of her car keys and cellphone. A case docket was opened at Samora Machel SAPS for armed robbery, attempted hijacking and attempted murder.”
According to a source, during processing, it was established that the gunman is only 16 years old.
“He is a first-time offender according to his profile,” says the source.
Police spokesperson, Captain FC van Wyk, verifies the arrest and says: “This office can confirm that the mentioned case numbers are an armed robbery and attempted murder cases reported at Samora Machel for