Hans Strijdom Drive in northern Johannesburg was turned into a battlefield after an armed robbery at a nearby First National Bank branch.
The 10 robbers had carried out their plan on Friday and had the cash in hand but they gave themselves away when they drove their two getaway cars at high speed along Hans Strijdom and were spotted by an off-duty policeman.
Superintendent Chris Wilken, a Johannesburg police spokesman, explained: "The off-duty officer, from Douglasdale police station, was on his motorcycle and became suspicious of a Nissan and a BMW travelling at very high speed along Hans Strijdom and called for back-up."
Members of the Randburg Reaction Unit and the house-robbery task team were called immediately.
"They gave chase and a shoot-out ensued between our members and the robbers but nobody was injured," Wilken said.
Eventually the robbers in the Nissan surrendered and stopped near Randburg High School. Two suspects were arrested but three others ran away.
"We then called for back-up and a helicopter was summoned and we managed to arrest another three suspects."
Police recovered one AK-47, an R5 rifle and two handguns.
"We also managed to recover some of the cash but cannot disclose the amount as it still needs to be verified with the bank," Wilken said.
The BMW and its sole occupant got away.
The five people who were arrested will appear in the Randburg magistrate's court on Monday.