Armed response officers come under fire in Morningside robbery

Blue Security armed response officers were lucky to escape a shootout in Morningside unharmed this morning.

Blue Security community and media liaison officer Andreas Mathios said a member of the public alerted a Blue Security armed response officer to a home invasion that was taking place in Rapson Road where suspects were loading goods into a getaway vehicle. The incident occurred at around 6.15am.
“The armed response officer parked his vehicle a safe distance from the property approached the property on foot. He drew his firearm and as he was approaching the property, the suspects saw him and fired shots at him. He returned fire. The suspects then jumped into a getaway vehicle, a black Audi, and raced up the road as our back up vehicle arrived. Our back up vehicle gave chase and the suspects opened fire on the vehicle as they fled the scene. Our armed response officer did not return fire, but skidded his vehicle to a halt during the shooting. Fortunately, no injuries were reported,” Mathios said.
Mathios said the suspects fled with valuables from the home.
Berea Community Policing Forum members and trauma debriefers attended the scene where SAPS detectives are currently investigating the crime.
Mathios advised residents to always ensure that external alarm beams were activated at night for an early warning system. “Armed robbers have targeted properties in the early hours of the morning in several crimes recently reported. It’s important to ensure that your home alarm system is correctly activated at night and that you keep the outdoor zones activated even after you have woken up in the morning and turned off the zones inside the house,” he said.
He advised residents to also ensure that any CCTV surveillance cameras installed on the property are in good working order as they provide security firms and the police with valuable intelligence should an incident occur.