Durban street vendors thwart armed robber

DURBAN street vendors were the heroes of the day when they thwarted an armed getaway suspect, following a robbery in the Durban CBD.  

“The street vendors quickly sprang into action when they realized a crime had been committed and chased after the suspects as they fled the shop they had robbed,” said Andreas Mathios, Blue Security community and media liaison officer.   

The incident happened on Tuesday morning when three gun-wielding suspects entered the store on Field Street and demanded cash, cellphones and various clothing items.  

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“The staff were tied up with cable ties by the armed men,” said Mathios.

“Thankfully luck was not on the side of the suspects because as they fled the store street, vendors on the pavement gave chase. One suspect was apprehended and all the stolen items recovered except for one cell phone.”   

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The suspect was handed over to a Blue Security armed-response officer who had arrived after receiving notification of the robbery.

He was detained until Durban Central SAPS members arrived and arrested him.   

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