Police say they caught these four stone throwers red-handed pelting motorists on the N2.
The suspects, aged 26, 31 and 36, were allegedly gooing vehicles on the N2 between Macassar and the M9 weighbridge, just outside Somerset West.
Metro police members, Ettiene Leckay and Dianne Claasen, who were on patrol on the notorious stretch of highway around 3.45pm on Wednesday, say they observed the four suspects pelting cars.
They approached the suspects who fled on foot and the officers gave chase.
They were nabbed a few kilometres later, on the R102 near Macassar.
The four are expected to appear in the Somerset West Magistrates’ Court soon on a charge of malicious damage to property.
One of the suspects had recently been released from prison.
Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, says it was the nifty footwork of the two officers which led to the successful arrests: “Quick response of Metro Police members led to the arrest of four suspects who threw stones at moving vehicles.
“The members approached the suspects who fled on foot, and members gave chase after them and with the assistance from their colleagues, they apprehended a 26-, 31- and two 36-year-old suspects on the R102 [between Somerset West and Macassar].
“The members transported the suspects to Macassar SAPS where a case of malicious damage to property was registered. One suspect was recently released from prison.”
In 2015, Hawks officer, Petrus Holtz, was stabbed to death along the same stretch of road.
Last year, Adrian Hendricks, 22, was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Holtz, 50.
The officer, who was on his way to work in Bellville, was driving on the stretch of road between Somerset West and Khayelitsha when rocks placed on the road damaged his tyres.
He called for help, but was attacked before help could arrive.
Hendricks stabbed the cop in the leg, severing an artery and leaving him to bleed to death.
Holtz’ cellphone and GPS were stolen.
Less than two weeks before the attack, another motorist, Jacques Loots, fell victim to the same modus operandi.
Loots later identified Hendricks in a photo ID.