TWO police officers were injured when residents pelted them with stones following gang- related incidents in Helenvale at the weekend.
Police spokesman Warrant Officer Alwin Labans said the violence occurred in separate incidents.
The first incident happened on Saturday night when police officers tried to pull over a white Toyota Tazz in Markman Road.
The vehicle sped off and officers chased it into Booysens Street, where it made a U-turn and drove towards the police. “Shots were exchanged,” Labans said. One of the suspects was known to the police. When the officers approached the vehicle to investigate an object was thrown out of the window. Officers later found it to be a 9mm pistol.
“A crowd gathered and threw stones and bottles at the four officers,” Labans said.
A suspect later went to the police and claimed he was shot by the officers.
He was then arrested and charged with attempted murder and illegal possession of a firearm. He will appear in court soon. In the second incident in the same area in the early hours of yesterday, police patrolling in a four-vehicle convoy spotted a vehicle with a known gang member in it.
“While they were searching the vehicle, a crowd gathered and began throwing stones at the police,” Labans said.
Four police vehicles were damaged and two officers were injured in the incident.
The crowd then moved down Booysens Street and threw stones at houses, Labans said.
One suspect was arrested and charged with public violence.
-Devon Koen
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