PRETORIA -One suspected armed robber has been hospitalised under police guard while another is in custody following their arrest by SAPS members of Rietgat and Loate Station Task Teams during a foiled armed robbery in Pretoria. The would-be robbers, both aged 30, were arrested on Tuesday and are expected to appear before the Pretoria Magistrates Court soon.

Captain Johan van Dyk, provincial spokesperson for Gauteng police, said the pair were part of a group of men who attempted to rob a white male who was driving a Ford Ranger Raptor. The driver in question was lured to Extension 3, Mhlaumbe, Winterveldt, to purchase a generator advertised on Facebook Marketplace. Van Dyk said members who were conducting patrols in crime hotspots in Extension 3, engaged the occupant, who informed them that he had travelled to the area to purchase a generator advertised on Facebook Marketplace.

“The members warned the man that the advertisement was likely to be a scam and that he could be targeted for an armed robbery. They then requested his assistance in tracing the alleged sellers. As he was still waiting for the sellers to arrive, two members of the Online Task Team entered the vehicle with the complainant, while other members positioned themselves in the surrounding area,” he said.

“While they were waiting for the alleged sellers to arrive, a group of unidentified men approached the vehicle. One suspect produced a firearm and fired shots in the direction of the police and the complainant. A shootout ensued between the police and the suspects. As the suspects fled the scene, one was apprehended and found in possession of a firearm,” said Van Dyk. He said the injured suspect was arrested later in the day after members received information about a patient with a gunshot wound at the Sedilega Clinic in Mabopane, Block U.

“They proceeded to the clinic, where they confirmed that the injured man was one of the suspects who had fled the scene earlier,” said Van Dyk. He said the pair face charges of attempted murder, possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. “The recovered firearm will undergo ballistic testing to determine whether it was used in other crimes,” said Van Dyk. He said the investigation was continuing, and police were following up on all available leads to trace and arrest suspects on the run. Police have strongly warned members of the public to exercise extreme caution when responding to advertisements on online marketplaces.