The Middelburg Observer heard reports that three suspects driving a Volkswagen Polo were arrested this afternoon after being chased by police.

An eyewitness at the scene said they were driving behind members of the Middelburg flight team when a shootout began at a robot near the Middelburg Chamber of Commerce.

“We immediately left as far as we could to avoid being hit. A Checkers Sixty60 driver was also there, who got off his motorcycle and started running,” the source said.

The suspects in the Volkswagen Polo are said to have robbed two hitchhikers on the N11 Groblersdal road.

The suspects are believed to have picked up the two victims, where they took their belongings and valuables, then left them along the road.

A driver driving behind the Volkswagen Polo, who claims to have witnessed the whole ordeal, picked up the two victims after they were dropped, then immediately notified the police.

Once the suspects inside the Volkswagen Polo noticed that police were following them, they allegedly threw the victims’ belongings.

No injuries were reported in connection with this case.

• The Middelburg Observer contacted the SAPS for comment but did not respond in time for publication.