N2 shoot-out, man nabbed

A shoot-out between suspected robbers and traffic officials caused high drama on the N2 outside Grabouw last week.

The area was swarming with various police units and other law-enforcement agencies as they finecombed the surrounds for at least four suspects, who fled the scene and disappeared into the bushes in the surrounding area.

The Overberg K9 Unit as well as a specialised drone team were also used in the search for the missing suspects who are still at large.

Sergeant Abigail Naidoo, spokesperson for the Overberg Police District, reported that the incident occurred on Wednesday 10 April at approximately 09:30 when a provincial traffic officer stopped a suspicious-looking silver Hyundai minibus with a CAA registration number on the N2 between Grabouw and Steenbrasdam.

“While the traffic officer was busy with routine checks the occupants got out of the vehicle and started firing shots,” she said. “The officer and his colleague returned the fire. The five suspects abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot into the bushes.

“One suspect was arrested near the scene. Nobody was injured during the exchange of fire.”

Searching the vehicle, police found suspected stolen items, including boxes of cigarettes, a number of cellphones, a backpack with a large amount of cash, one prohibited firearm and one imitation gun.

The suspect appeared in the Grabouw Magistrates’ Court on charges of attempted murder and robbery.

Sources close to the investigation say it is believed the suspect was part of a group of criminals who robbed a business in Plettenberg Bay.

“It is alleged they fled the scene in the business owner’s vehicle later found abandoned in Plettenberg Bay. The silver Hyundai was waiting for them at the spot where the shop owner’s stolen vehicle was found.”

The investigation continued.