Gauteng police are searching for two “dangerous” awaiting trial prisoners who escaped during an ambush on a police vehicle transporting them back to prison.
A police manhunt was launched for Abram Matombo‚ 36‚ who was in custody for armed robbery‚ and Bethuel Fosi‚ 25‚ in custody for theft.
Gauteng police spokesperson Capt Tsekiso Mofokeng said two police court orderlies‚ based at the Atteridgeville Magistrate Court in Pretoria‚ were transporting eleven suspects from court to Kgosi Mampuru Prison when a maroon sedan with five occupants allegedly blocked their vehicle from the front in Matshiga Street.
“The men were armed with three 9mm pistols‚ an AK47 and a R5 rifle. While holding the police members at gunpoint they picked the lock of the van and released two suspects. They allegedly took the keys of the (police) vehicle‚” he said.
Provincial commissioner Lieutenant-General Lesetja Mothiba said that every possible effort would be made to re-arrest these criminals as many hours had been invested to arrest them in the first instance.
“A thorough investigation will be done to establish the reason for their escape‚ and if our members have been negligent they will be held accountable‚” he said.
Mofokeng urged members of the community not to confront the suspects but to rather contact the Crime Stop number 0860010111 or SMS Crime line 32211.
Once arrested‚ the men will face addition charges for escaping from lawful custody.
Manhunt launched for 'dangerous' escapees
Gauteng police are searching for two “dangerous” awaiting trial prisoners who escaped during an ambush on a police vehicle transporting them back to prison.
A police manhunt was launched for Abram Matombo‚ 36‚ who was in custody for armed robbery‚ and Bethuel Fosi‚ 25‚ in custody for theft.
Gauteng police spokesperson Capt Tsekiso Mofokeng said two police court orderlies‚ based at the Atteridgeville Magistrate Court in Pretoria‚ were transporting eleven suspects from court to Kgosi Mampuru Prison when a maroon sedan with five occupants allegedly blocked their vehicle from the front in Matshiga Street.
“The men were armed with three 9mm pistols‚ an AK47 and a R5 rifle. While holding the police members at gunpoint they picked the lock of the van and released two suspects. They allegedly took the keys of the (police) vehicle‚” he said.
Provincial commissioner Lieutenant-General Lesetja Mothiba said that every possible effort would be made to re-arrest these criminals as many hours had been invested to arrest them in the first instance.
“A thorough investigation will be done to establish the reason for their escape‚ and if our members have been negligent they will be held accountable‚” he said.
Mofokeng urged members of the community not to confront the suspects but to rather contact the Crime Stop number 0860010111 or SMS Crime line 32211.
Once arrested‚ the men will face addition charges for escaping from lawful custody.
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