Just three weeks after police released the images of suspects wanted in connection with a string of British American Tobacco van robberies‚ Eastern Cape police have shot and killed a suspect.
Police spokeswoman Colonel Sibongile Soci said they had also recovered boxes of cigarettes valued at R100 000 in the vehicle the man was travelling in.
“Information indicated that the suspect was driving in the direction of Fort Beaufort. Members were placed on high alert and later the vehicle was spotted in Fort Beaufort.
“The members stopped the vehicle‚ searched it and found some of the alleged stolen tobacco products. Upon this‚ the suspect drew a firearm and started shooting at the police members on the scene‚” Soci said.
She said a shootout had then ensued between the suspect and the police‚ resulting in the suspect being fatally wounded.
Soci said the inquest docket relating to the death of the suspect would be handled by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate.