Four men who thought they could frighten police with a hunting rifle during a high-speed chase have found themselves behind bars.
The incident occurred Gqeberha on Tuesday evening and led to the seizure of a hunting rifle and the arrest of all four occupants of a white VW Polo.
It all started when police spotted the vehicle driving suspiciously fast in Stanford Road, but when cops tried to pull them over, the driver sped off, forcing the officers to give chase, said police spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg.
With tensions rising, a passenger seated behind the driver pointed a 223 hunting rifle at the officers in an attempt to scare them off. The chase came to an end when the suspects made a turn onto Newbolt Street, where police were able to stop the vehicle.
The armed suspect tossed the rifle into the car and tried to run away, but he was quickly arrested. The other three individuals were also taken into custody without any additional problems.
The suspects, aged between 21 and 39, are due to appear in the New Brighton Magistrate's Court on charges related to the possession of an unlicensed firearm.
Van Rensburg lauded the officers' swift response during the operation.
"The situation was incredibly tense, but our members acted decisively and with precision. Their quick actions ensured the safety of the community and removed a potentially dangerous firearm from the streets," she said.
Nelson Mandela Bay district police commissioner, Major General Vuyisile Ncata, emphasised the importance of such operations in maintaining public safety.
"Confiscating unlicensed firearms is crucial in our fight against violent crime. Every firearm taken off the streets is a step closer to ensuring that our communities are safer," Ncata said.
"This operation is a testament to our commitment to protect innocent lives. It’s a positive step towards promoting public safety, and we’ll continue working tirelessly to rid our streets of illegal weapons," said Ncana.
IOL