Mi7 Armed Response teams on Monday apprehended three foreign nationals suspected to be linked to a string of residential burglaries in the city. The trio were caught after a daring high-speed chase from Northdale to Hayfields.
Mi7 was first made aware of the gang the day before, on Sunday, when Strategic Threat Response Unit members received information from a Northdale resident who had fallen victim earlier in the week. According to the resident, who had already opened a case with the police, the gang struck during the day, derailing the perimeter gate and using a crowbar to get through the front door. The resident's teenage daughter was inside, and locked herself in a room while calling for help. The gang allegedly ransacked the home before fleeing, and luckily, no harm came to the teenager.
Mi7 STRU teams gathered CCTV footage of the incident and was able to identify the getaway vehicle - a blue BMW.
Then, on Monday, while conducting regular patrols in the same area, Mi7 Reaction Officers spotted the vehicle. When they saw Mi7 vehicles approaching, the suspects sped off, driving recklessly on oncoming traffic and speeding through red traffic lights and intersections.
Several other Mi7 teams were immediately mobilised, some joining the pursuit while others stood off at strategic locations to intercept. During the pursuit, the suspects were discarding items, like a crowbar, from the vehicle. The chase continued from Northdale onto the N3 towards Durban. The vehicle was successfully intercepted by Mi7 teams in the Hayfields area.
Three foreign nationals were detained on scene. Inside the vehicle was housebreaking implements, pepper spray, and what appeared to be a device used for remote signal jamming.
The matter was handed over to the police for further investigation. It is believed the gang may be linked to other cases in the Northern suburbs.
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