Seven men were arrested following two separate business robberies along Jules Street in Malvern on Wednesday last week.
The Cleveland SAPS spokesperson, Constable Mpho Mashakane, said in one incident three men robbed a restaurant on the corner of Jules and Monmouth streets shortly after 4pm.
“They pointed firearms at the restaurant employees and took an undisclosed amount of cash and fled the scene,” she said.
She said as the suspects were driving away, one employee ran to the police station to report the incident.
“Due to traffic, the men could not drive quickly and were spotted by police officers. A chase ensued. The men abandoned their vehicle at the corner of Nicholas and Main streets in Denver,” she said.
Const Mashakane said the men tried to escape arrest by climbing onto one of the buildings in the area.
“Three of them were arrested and two 9mm pistols were recovered,” she said.
Const Mashakane said while the police were busy with the arrest, they received a call about another business robbery at a chain supermarket on Jules and Queen streets.
She said three men stormed into the shop. One of the men fired one shot into the air and ordered everyone to lie on the ground.
“The other two men took money from the cash registers and they then ordered the manager into the cash office where they took more money. The men fled on foot towards a blue Toyota vehicle that was parked outside,” she said.
Const Mashakane said when the police officers approached the scene, community members pointed them in the direction taken by the suspects.
“When the men saw the police were following them, they started shooting at them as they were running towards the blue Toyota that was parked on the road. They continued firing at the police as the car was speeding off,” she said.
Const Mashakane said a high speed car chase and exchange of fire ensued.
She said the men abandoned their car and tried to flee on foot but were cornered by police officers.
“Three men and their driver were arrested. Their loot was also recovered,” she said.
Const Mashakane said the vehicle the men were using belong to a relative of one of them.
She said during the arrest, a bystander was slightly injured after he was hit in the arm by a stray projectile.
“We thank the community for helping us with the arrest of these men.
“In the same breath, we appeal to community members to move away from the crime scene when situations like these occur. Do not be in the way of the police or the criminals. Allow the police to do their job,” said Const Mashakane.
