4 arrested for Pinetown shopping complex robbery
Police also recovered various pieces of police uniform, a bullet proof vest and a firearm with 16 rounds of ammunition from an abandoned vehicle.
FOUR suspects, who were arrested for breaking into a shopping complex in Pinetown on Sunday, are expected to appear at the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court today, Tuesday, 11 January.
The suspects, aged between 25 and 37, face charges of business robbery, attempted murder and the possession of explosives.
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KwaZulu-Natal’s police spokesperson, Captain Nqobile Gwala, said police responded to a report of a burglary in progress at about 23:00.
“Upon arrival, police spotted a group of men attempting to flee the premises. The men opened fire at police. Four of the suspects were subsequently arrested and were found in possession of cellphones, drills, gloves, a crowbar and explosives,” said Gwala.
According to the provincial spokesperson, police noticed a suspicious white vehicle driving in the vicinity while they were still at the scene.
“When police officers approached the vehicle, the suspects sped off. Police gave chase and the suspects abandoned the vehicle on Wilson Drive in Caversham Glen. Upon searching the vehicle, police found various pieces of police uniform, a bullet proof vest and a firearm with 16 rounds of ammunition,” she said.
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Gwala added that the security guard, who was posted at the shopping complex, arrived moments later and he informed police that he was on duty when the same vehicle, with five occupants in police uniform, arrived at the scene.
“The security guard was forced into the vehicle and the panic button was taken away from him. He was dropped off in the bushes in New Germany. The suspects gained entry into the receiving area and they stole two cellphones from one of the shops,” reported Gwala.
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