Police are trying to link three suspected robbers, arrested in Centurion on Thursday, to several violent crimes in and around the capital.

It is believed the men were trying to break into a house in Highveld shortly after they robbed a woman in Monument Park.

Two of their alleged accomplices were shot in a shootout with police; one was killed and the other is in a serious condition.

It is understood the silver Toyota in which the five men were travelling had fake number plates and police suspect this same vehicle had been used in a number of armed robberies in several Pretoria suburbs.

They have already linked the three men in custody to at least three crimes but say they suspect their investigation will connect the trio to a spate of violent attacks in Centurion and eastern Pretoria.

Authorities are also probing claims that another vehicle was seen picking up items dropped from the Toyota when police chased the suspects.

Police say it is possible that these included firearms as no guns were found on the alleged robbers despite a shootout with officers.