High drama in Sandton as police chase suspects

High drama unfolded in Sandton on Thursday when the Johannesburg authorities chased a Toyota Corolla after the car’s occupants allegedly tried to rob a guest from a hotel in the area near the hotel.

A chase and large-scale traffic disruption ensued.

By late Thursday afternoon, Katherine Street under the Grayston Drive overpass was still closed to all traffic while police combed the scene.

Brig. Brenda Muridili, spokesperson for the police, says that members of the Gauteng Highway Patrol received information on Thursday afternoon about a white Toyota Corolla that was allegedly involved in an attempted armed robbery.

The scene on Thursday afternoon in Katherine Street. (Photo: Provided)

According to the information, suspects tried to rob a guest from a hotel in Sandton at around 14:00.

The highway police enlisted the help of the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police and private security companies to locate the white Toyota Corolla and the car was finally spotted in Katherine Street.

The police tried to stop the vehicle, but the vehicle sped off and a chase ensued.

According to Muridili, two of the suspects jumped out of the car during the chase and fled on foot.

“The team continued to follow the car, which then collided with a truck and came to a stop.”

The driver of the vehicle got out and tried to run away, but the police chased him and arrested him a few meters from the scene.

The scene on Thursday afternoon in Katherine Street. (Photo: Provided)

The Toyota Corolla was then searched and the police came across two unlicensed pistols, ammunition and gloves.

“The team also discovered that the vehicle had been hijacked in Daveyton in February.”

The suspect will face charges of possession of a hijacked vehicle, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, as well as reckless and negligent driving.”

Meanwhile, the police are on the trail of the two suspects who fled on foot.