The police have confirmed that two suspects were arrested in connection with the robbery at the East Rand Mall on August 27.
According to SAPS Ekurhuleni district spokesperson Captain Nelda Sekgobelah, the incident happened at 12:30.
Sekgobelah said the police were told that employees of the store were helping customers when armed men suddenly entered the store.
’One employee pressed the panic button. The smoke alarm went off, and the whole shop went up in smoke. The suspects started to smash the counter windows and put jewellery into bags. They also went to the back office and helped themselves to jewellery from the safe,” said Sekgobelah.
The spokesperson said the suspects fired shots inside the shop.
“The shop was full of glass and jewellery lying on the floor. A .2x cartridge and 9mm bullets were found in the shop. Several shots were also fired inside the mall when the suspects ran towards the exit at entrance one.
Sekgobelah said at the exit, the suspects shot a 40-year-old customer in his lower body at the parking ticket pay points.
“As he ran towards his vehicle, another shot was fired at him and grazed him on his left upper body,” she said.
The victim was taken to hospital and is in stable condition.
Sekgobelah said the suspects jumped into three vehicles (a black Toyota Prado, a white BMW and a silver Mercedes Benz) and sped off.
A chase ensued between law enforcement agencies and the suspects.
“The BMW stopped at the Palm Ridge Shopping Centre entrance, and the suspect jumped out. The vehicle was recovered with jewellery inside.
“The Toyota was found 5km from where the BMW was recovered, and two suspects were arrested. A 9mm pistol and jewellery were recovered,” said Sekgobelah.
Sekgobelah said two boxes of jewellery were found on Rietfontein Road.
Anybody with information that could lead to the other suspects’ arrest can call the Boksburg North Police Station on 011 960 0100 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
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