SOUTH AFRICA: Court Escaper Nailed
One of the two suspects who shot their way out of the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court last month has been killed and his accomplice wounded in a...
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One of the two suspects who shot their way out of the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court last month has been killed and his accomplice wounded in a shoot-out with the police.
The suspect who was wounded in the arm is in hospital under heavy police guard.
Crime intelligence police ambushed the suspects at a guesthouse in Yeoville, Joburg, on Saturday night.
Provincial police spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Khensani Magoai said the dead suspect was identified as Lucky Segopo, 28.
The injured man is Nchabeleng Mahlatse, 26.
Police were following up information when they cornered the suspects at their hide-out during a crime intelligence-driven operation in Yeoville’s Dunber Street, Magoai said.
“When police arrived at the guesthouse, one of the suspects pointed a firearm at them.
“A shoot-out ensued, during which Segopo was shot and killed.”
Magoai said no officers were injured during the operation.
It was unclear if any other people had been staying in the guesthouse.
“The injured suspect was charged with attempted murder, hijacking and escaping from lawful custody.
“Additional charges of illegal possession of firearm and ammunition and pointing of firearm will be added.”
A third suspect who escaped from the court, Kevin Farai Masango, 31, is still at large.
Segopo and Mahlatse dramatically stormed out of the holding cells and into Court 7 on the third floor of the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on August 19.
They were armed, and started shooting when the magistrate was in court. A court orderly was slightly injured when he was grazed by a bullet.
However, the police officer who had gone to testify against the suspects was seriously injured after a bullet hit him in the jaw.
The suspects were appearing on various charges, including house robbery and possession of an unlicensed firearm.
On exiting the court building, the two suspects hijacked a police Ford Icon and sped off, later abandoning it in Atteridgeville and hijacking a red Volkswagen Polo.
A day later, police discovered that Masango - who had appeared on charges of armed robbery and was remanded in custody - was not on the list of awaiting-trial prisoners who were taken back to Correctional Services later on the day of the escape.
It is believed he made his escape in the chaos following the shooting.
Magoai said both officers wounded during the escape had recovered and were discharged from hospital a few days ago. “They doing well,” she said.
“Whether the suspects have been hiding at the guesthouse all along or how they ended up there is part of the investigation that is under way,” she said.
There was a continuing internal investigation to ascertain how the firearms made their way into the holding cells and landed in the hands of the suspects on the day of the escape, she said.
Police have appealed to the public to come forward with information that might lead to the arrest of the remaining suspect by contacting Crime Stop at 086 001 0111 or SMS Crime Line on 32222 or by contacting your nearest police station.
Source: iol News
The suspect who was wounded in the arm is in hospital under heavy police guard.
Crime intelligence police ambushed the suspects at a guesthouse in Yeoville, Joburg, on Saturday night.
Provincial police spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Khensani Magoai said the dead suspect was identified as Lucky Segopo, 28.
The injured man is Nchabeleng Mahlatse, 26.
Police were following up information when they cornered the suspects at their hide-out during a crime intelligence-driven operation in Yeoville’s Dunber Street, Magoai said.
“When police arrived at the guesthouse, one of the suspects pointed a firearm at them.
“A shoot-out ensued, during which Segopo was shot and killed.”
Magoai said no officers were injured during the operation.
It was unclear if any other people had been staying in the guesthouse.
“The injured suspect was charged with attempted murder, hijacking and escaping from lawful custody.
“Additional charges of illegal possession of firearm and ammunition and pointing of firearm will be added.”
A third suspect who escaped from the court, Kevin Farai Masango, 31, is still at large.
Segopo and Mahlatse dramatically stormed out of the holding cells and into Court 7 on the third floor of the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on August 19.
They were armed, and started shooting when the magistrate was in court. A court orderly was slightly injured when he was grazed by a bullet.
However, the police officer who had gone to testify against the suspects was seriously injured after a bullet hit him in the jaw.
The suspects were appearing on various charges, including house robbery and possession of an unlicensed firearm.
On exiting the court building, the two suspects hijacked a police Ford Icon and sped off, later abandoning it in Atteridgeville and hijacking a red Volkswagen Polo.
A day later, police discovered that Masango - who had appeared on charges of armed robbery and was remanded in custody - was not on the list of awaiting-trial prisoners who were taken back to Correctional Services later on the day of the escape.
It is believed he made his escape in the chaos following the shooting.
Magoai said both officers wounded during the escape had recovered and were discharged from hospital a few days ago. “They doing well,” she said.
“Whether the suspects have been hiding at the guesthouse all along or how they ended up there is part of the investigation that is under way,” she said.
There was a continuing internal investigation to ascertain how the firearms made their way into the holding cells and landed in the hands of the suspects on the day of the escape, she said.
Police have appealed to the public to come forward with information that might lead to the arrest of the remaining suspect by contacting Crime Stop at 086 001 0111 or SMS Crime Line on 32222 or by contacting your nearest police station.
Source: iol News
