POLICE on an anti-crime patrol in Meerensee returned fire when a fleeing suspect shot at them while escaping with stolen goods.
The incident took place at around 4am on Wednesday after a number of break-ins to cars and flats in the area between the LAC Centre and Launder Lane, near the hotels.
As the police van pursued the suspect, catching him in the headlights, he turned and fired at the occupants, dropping the stolen goods as he ran.
The man dived into Lake Sontwayo, behind the LAC Centre and was not seen again.
Police believe they wounded the man and a sniffer dog brought in to assist divers detected human scent about 50 metres from the water’s edge.
Although shallow, the small lake is known to host crocodiles, one of which is over three metres long.
The divers did not recover a body but will continue the search tomorrow.
If it is indeed under the water, police said the body would rise to the surface after about two days.
At the scene, three victims arrived and identified goods stolen from their premises in the early hours of Wednesday.
Detectives are examining fingerprints and clues to establish any links between the suspect and other crimes involving firearms during the past month.
Police, Please don’t risk your lives and that of the Police dogs in a lake full of crocs.
Wait for the body to surface after 2 days.