A mugger who tried to rob a police officer at Waterworld in Leaches Bay was shot in the leg and managed to flee – but was arrested when he turned up at Frere Hospital demanding the bullet be removed.
The 32-year-old man cannot be named as he has not yet appeared in court.
The robber found that he had bitten off a bit more than he could chew when he attempted to mug the 47-year-old off-duty Flying Squad warrant officer at the Waterworld at 2pm on Monday.
Police did not name the warrant officer, but police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Mtati Tana said the officer had been in the seaside recreational area to cool off in the company of a friend.
The area is notorious for muggings and stabbings.
Tana said the suspect and his 34-year-old accomplice burst out of the bush and demanded the officer hand over his wallet and cellphone.
Little did they know they were robbing an officer of the law.
“They threatened him with a brick. The warrant officer drew his firearm and shot one suspect in the leg. He then chased after both suspects and caught up with the one who was not injured. He arrested him,” Tana said.
He said staff at Frere Hospital called the police when the injured suspect arrived asking for the bullet to be removed.
When the man failed to give a satisfactory answer as to how he was shot, the police were called.
“The suspect was arrested and both will appear in East London Magistrate’s Court soon facing charges of robbery.”
Tana said police were now profiling the two suspects to see if they were linked to a string of recent violent attacks in the area. — zwangam@dispatch.co.za
Mugger tries to rob cop and ends up shot
The 32-year-old man cannot be named as he has not yet appeared in court.
The robber found that he had bitten off a bit more than he could chew when he attempted to mug the 47-year-old off-duty Flying Squad warrant officer at the Waterworld at 2pm on Monday.
Police did not name the warrant officer, but police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Mtati Tana said the officer had been in the seaside recreational area to cool off in the company of a friend.
The area is notorious for muggings and stabbings.
Tana said the suspect and his 34-year-old accomplice burst out of the bush and demanded the officer hand over his wallet and cellphone.
Little did they know they were robbing an officer of the law.
“They threatened him with a brick. The warrant officer drew his firearm and shot one suspect in the leg. He then chased after both suspects and caught up with the one who was not injured. He arrested him,” Tana said.
He said staff at Frere Hospital called the police when the injured suspect arrived asking for the bullet to be removed.
When the man failed to give a satisfactory answer as to how he was shot, the police were called.
“The suspect was arrested and both will appear in East London Magistrate’s Court soon facing charges of robbery.”
Tana said police were now profiling the two suspects to see if they were linked to a string of recent violent attacks in the area. — zwangam@dispatch.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos