Shots hit the streets of Port Elizabeth on Wednesday morning when two security thieves tried to flee.
The thieves filled two 25-liter jugs of diesel at about 3:15 p.m., after which they drove away without paying for it, says Capt. Police spokeswoman Sandra Janse van Rensburg.
At the same moment, security guards from Algoa Security arrived at the gas station to pump their bakkie’s tires.
The petrol attendant informed the security guards of the theft, after which they immediately rushed behind the fuel thieves.
According to Annelize Jerling, director of Algoa Security, their security guards caught up with the thieves shortly after. At the corner of Albany and Mackay roads, the two thieves jumped out of their vehicle and ran away.
Jerling says one of the thieves shot at their security guards. They shot back and later managed to arrest one of the thieves.
The suspect was found with a gunshot wound to his arm where he hid on Elizabeth Street in North End.
Further investigation revealed the thieves’ vehicle was stolen in a housebreaking at a city construction company on Tuesday night.
Janse van Rensburg said the 23-year-old man will soon appear in court on a charge of attempted murder, possession of a suspected stolen vehicle and theft.
Jerling praised their security guards for their actions and said, “I take off my hat for the security guards. They are so committed. It wasn’t a client of ours, but they still chased the people, even while they were being shot. “
Major-General. Mount Road Police Chief Thembisile Patekile also thanked the security guards for their work, saying security companies are key players in the process of combating crime.
