PORT ELIZABETH - TIP OFF LEADS TO 2 CRIMINALS ARRESTED WITH ILLEGAL FIREARMS IN HELENVALE

It is alleged that today at about 14:45 members acted on information received that suspects were in possession of firearms at a house in Meralda Street Helenvale.  As police entered the house, they noticed one person throwing a firearm into an adjacent room.  A .22 caliber Astra pistol and three rounds of ammunition was found. A suspect (26) was arrested on a charge of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.

The other suspect started running. Police members chased after the suspect on foot and when he entered an alley, he started firing at the officers. Police retaliated by firing at the suspect. The suspect jumped over a wall and escaped, however police believed that the suspect may have been shot. The injured suspect (20) was found at a local hospital with a gunshot wound to his abdomen. He was arrested and detained on a charge of attempted murder. Suspects are expected to appear in court soon.

The Cluster Commander for Mount Road Cluster, Maj Gen Funeka Siganga has applauded the members on their prompt response to the information as well as the arrest of the two suspects. She has urged police members to be vigilant when effecting arrests as police officers are most at danger when making an arrest. ‘Such attacks on our officers will not deter us from executing our duties in ensuring the safety of our citizens in the Northern areas of Port Elizabeth’, added Maj Gen Siganga.

VIA - saps