The gang's bloody end came moments before they could attack a Pretoria businessman who had just withdrawn hundreds of thousands of rands yesterday.

Police received a tip-off that the three suspects and two others were going to attack the businessman.

After blocking sections of the Mabopane Highway, members of the Hawks' hi-tech unit, the special task force and tracker investigators searched for the men.

The armed suspects were spotted near Soshanguve, Pretoria, in a Mercedes-Benz Kompressor, which they are said to have stolen during a house robbery on Tuesday.

When they realised police were following them, they opened fire before making a U-turn and facing oncoming traffic.

As officers gave chase, task force members set up a roadblock at the entrance to Rosslyn industrial area, shot dead the driver and injured his passengers.

The suspects' two accomplices, who were driving in a blue BMW, managed to escape.

An officer said the suspects are linked to at least 10 house robberies in Pretoria.