Five suspects who allegedly robbed Shoprite U-Save on Yende Street in Thokoza at about 6.30pm on October 27 were arrested that same day by Thokoza police officers.
The suspects were apprehended on Uganda Street in Eden Park.
The shop manager, Ncebakazi Dihangana, said she overheard staff members screaming inside the shop.
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“Three male suspects came into the shop. Two of them were armed with firearms. They ordered the cashiers to lie down. They then took the money from the tills as well as cigarettes and walked out of the shop without firing a shot,” said Dihangana.
Capt Buyisile Mvelase, communications official at Thokoza Police Station, explained that there were five suspects altogether involved in the crime.
“One suspect was already inside the shop, allegedly posing as a customer, while another one was behind the wheel of the getaway car,” said Mvelase.
Mvelase added that members of the Thokoza Task Team were patrolling close to the scene.
“They noticed four suspicious unknown men coming from the shop and walking towards Musa Street. The men climbed into a lime green Mazda 323 with registration number YYS 145 GP and drove away. The task team followed them until Uganda Street, Eden Park. The five suspects parked the car and entered a shack and the officers followed them. They ordered the suspects to lie down and handcuffed them,” said Mvelase.
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She said the suspects were found in possession of two unlicensed firearms with their serial numbers filed off, eight cellphones, cigarettes and R610 in cash.
All five suspects were detained at Thokoza Police Station. They are facing charges of armed robbery and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
They appeared in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on October 29.
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