Update, 8 October 6pm
Gauteng Police’s Brigadier Mathapelo Peters says that one suspect has been fatally shot near New Canada, Soweto following a shoot–out with the police on Tuesday afternoon, 8 October.
He said police were alerted of a robbery at an electronics store at Cresta Mall in the West Rand. “It is reported that a group of men entered the store and stole several electronics/appliances. The robbers allegedly fired shots as they fled, resulting in one security guard being wounded and rushed to the hospital.”
The Anti-Gang Unit spotted and cornered the suspects in a Nissan NP200 on the highway, “A shootout ensued and one suspect was declared dead on the scene, one arrested and one managed to evade arrest and is still on the run with the police hot on his heels,” he added.
A firearm was recovered from the vehicle. Police are still in the hunt for the suspects in the second vehicle which went in the direction of Pimville.
Cresta Shopping Centre confirmed the incident in a statement.
“Cresta Shopping Centre can confirm that an unconfirmed number of armed suspects held up the Dion Wired store inside Cresta Shopping Centre on 8 October. Centre management can confirm that a security guard was injured in an attempt to stop the robbery and he is safe and being attended to in hospital,” read the statement.
“We can confirm that our onsite security teams responded immediately to the incident and notified the South African Police Services (SAPS), who acted immediately. Centre security, with the assistance of the police teams, chased the suspects by vehicle from the centre, who were captured shortly after the incident and merchandise recovered. Our shoppers and security teams are currently all safe and we will continue to support the local SAPS team in their investigation into the matter.” said Virginia Bester, Cresta General Manager.
“We can confirm regretfully that one of our security team members was injured during the incident but is safely recovering in hospital. We are grateful that there were no injuries to our shoppers or tenant staff. The safety of our shoppers and staff members is our top priority and we will continue to support the local SAPS team in their investigation and to ensure safety at Cresta Shopping Centre,” concluded Bester.
The matter is currently under investigation by police.
Initial report, 8 October, 17.40pm
A shooting at Cresta Shopping Centre has left two security guards injured this afternoon, 8 October.
ER24 spokesperson Russel Meiring said their paramedics arrived at the scene around 4pm, to find the local authorities already in attendance. Paramedics were led to a clinic where they assessed one of the guards.
“On assessment, medics found that the man had sustained a gunshot wound to his upper leg and was in a serious condition.”
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Meiring said the man was treated for his injuries and transported to a private hospital for further care.
He added that three shop staff were also assessed after they were apparently assaulted by the gunmen.
Captain Alex Vermaak from Linden Police Station confirmed that a store was robbed by six suspects.
According to Vermaak, a security guard was shot and injured by the suspects when responding to the robbery. No shoppers were injured.
“The security guards have been transported to a hospital for further treatment,” said Vermaak
Cresta management has confirmed that the robbery took place and will provide further information at a later stage.
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