Appeal for information following Bedford Centre shoot out

Crime Line has made an urgent appeal to members of the public to come forward with any information that could help police in their investigation into the shooting at the Bedford Centre, east of Johannesburg yesterday morning.

The Bedford Centre was on lockdown following an attempted armed robbery at the centre. It was reported that a group of armed men confronted security guards collecting money inside the centre when a shooting ensued and five people, including two suspects were wounded.

“Our thoughts are with the innocent civilians and security guards who are being treated in hospital. We wish you a speedy recovery. Our thoughts also go out the people who were in the centre during the shooting and the larger Bedfordview community in the aftermath of this brazen attack,” said Crime Line.

 “We appeal to anyone with any information about the shooting to come forward and help the police apprehend the rest of the gang members. The spate of mall robberies in Gauteng continues. We need our eyes and ears in the community to help us clamp down on these criminal gangs that are targeting shopping centres,” Crime Line added.

Crime Line urged the public to pass on detailed information to the 32211 SMS service (Costs R1) or to call Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

“We have been inundated with messages from members of the public who are concerned about the high incidences of crime. It is clear that we urgently need decisive interventions by authorities to deal with the scourge of crime in the country.”

Video from eNCA

Previously reported:

Bedford Centre was rocked this morning after an alleged cash-in-transit heist shook the centre.

It is alleged that seven suspects entered the centre and targeted SBV guards who were offloading money.

According to eyewitnesses, the guards were going down the escalator when they were met by the suspects. A shoot-out ensued, which left three customers, two guards and two suspects wounded.

The two suspects were treated at the scene, placed under arrest and sent to hospital under police guard.

An AK 47 rifle and a 9mm pistol, both unlicensed, were recovered from the suspects.

The Gauteng Province SAPS spokesperson, Colonel Katlego Mogale, said although there were suspects still at large, the police could not confirm whether they had made off with any money.

Another eyewitness, a military trainee, told the NEWS he wondered how the criminals made it into the centre with guns.

When the crime took place, the Bedfordview SAPS was hosting a farewell party for the station’s retiring detective, Lieutenant Colonel Johannes Fourie, whose 42 years of service within the police force ends on January 31.

The military trainee said he wondered if the suspects took advantage of the fact that police officers were at the event.

“These guys chose the most convenient time to hit the centre. They likely planned it as an ‘in-and-out job’, but forgetting that this is Bedfordview, you will get caught,” he said.

Despite being at the party, police officers made it to the scene within minutes after the incident was reported.

The Bedfordview SAPS spokesperson, Sergeant Mduduzi Nhlabathi, said the SAPS is intolerant to crime and will do everything in its power to eradicate it.

The suspect with the AK47 was found in the basement parking, near the Post Office. According to police officers, he was trying to hijack a car after he was shot inside the centre.

The other suspect was shot on the chest and was in a critical condition.

Ms Linda Moore was at the centre with her friend’s daughter, Jaime de Wet, when the shootout occurred.

She said, “I was so scared. I just wanted to take her home.”

It is still unclear when the suspects will appear in court.

Bedford Centre posted the following on the NEWS’ Facebook page “No stores were involved. (The) shoot-out (was) between SBV and robbers. An official statement will be released once there is more information.”

Read these 5 updates as events unfolded today:

Area surrounding Bedford Centre in lock down

Bedford Centre cash-n-transit shooting: Flying Squad and K9 enterting centre

Second suspect shot at Bedford Centre

Shoppers are being kept inside the centre until the scene has been cleared

Witnesses treated for shock and trauma

Update Bedfordview robbery, one suspect caught and X1 AK recovered so far looks like 5 ppl injured waiting to confirm numbers

— OneTouchAntiHijackin (@One_TouchSA) January 29, 2015

#ATT #AVOID #UPDATE #BedfordCentreShooting EMS services outside the scene. Avoid the area. pic.twitter.com/Yujnn6j04G

— PigSpotter Cliff (@PigSpotter) January 29, 2015

#ATT #AVOID #UPDATE #BedfordCentreShooting Photo of the apprehended criminal. #TakeOutTheTrash pic.twitter.com/sqQ0Gl82NG

— PigSpotter Cliff (@PigSpotter) January 29, 2015

Staan op grusame skiettoneel in #Bedfordcentre in Bedfordview @Netwerk24 pic.twitter.com/zTQu8UFAWB

— Pauli Van Wyk (@PaulivW) January 29, 2015

The shooting scene inside Bedford Centre. Multiple people shot @ewnreporter pic.twitter.com/S3uTjdw5HA

— The Legend (@MedixGauteng) January 29, 2015