UPDATE: Two Westville Mall robbers arrested
The other three robbers are believed to have escaped in a white VW Polo.
TWO out of the five robbers that broke into a jewellery store at Westville Mall earlier today has been arrested.
Capt Elizabeth Squires, communication officer at Westville SAPS said, an off duty police officer from Durban Flying Squad, who asked not to be named, was having his coffee at Mugg&Bean when he heard commotion and the sound of glass breaking around 11.53am.
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“He said he got up immediately when he saw five men running into the jewellery store, Hardwick & Mazzoni, and began pushing customers back into the stores along the corridor as he made his way to the jewellery store.
“The robbers ran out of the store and the officer pulled out his firearm and fired shots at them. The robbers then turned around and returned fire as they ran towards the double door at the exit, and through the parking lot onto the M13 freeway,” said Squires.
The officer immediately sent a message on a neighbourhood network and alerted all law enforcement. The information was circulated and the area cordoned off within minutes.
“Police members and law enforcement gave chase. One robber jumped into a taxi and was arrested by the Shongweni K9 Unit while a second robber who was chased along the M13 was arrested by Westville Crime Prevention members.
“The other three robbers are alleged to have jumped into a white VW Polo, and despite police efforts, they could not be traced into the areas they had fled to,” said Squires.
She added that the jewellery store was closed for the police investigation and an undisclosed amount of jewellery was taken.
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The robbers aged 28 and 33 will be charged for business robbery and will appear in the court soon, said Squires.
She commended all members for a job well done.
According to Squires it was later established the robbers held up a female security guard from Mvula Security before they entered the jewellery store. They stole the woman’s portable radio and cellphone. Police recovered the radio in the parking lot after the jewellery store was robbed.
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