WATCH: 11 Armed men rob jewellery store in Cresta Shopping Centre
Police have confirmed the robbery of a jewellery store at Cresta Shopping Centre on March 16.
[Update: March 16 11:30]
Brigadier Brenda Muridili has confirmed a robbery that took place at Cresta Shopping Centre on the morning of March 16.
According to Muridili, Linden police responded to a business robbery incident at Cresta Mall just before midday. It is reported that about 11 unknown suspects, some of them armed with handguns, stormed into a jewellery store.
“The suspects started breaking the store’s glass counters with a crowbar and a hammer to gain access to the displayed jewellery. The suspects then fired shots randomly while fleeing to their getaway vehicles, a white Jetta and a silver Toyota Etios. No injuries were reported and the Station’s Trio Crime Unit is investigating a case of business robbery,” she confirmed.
The public may contact the SAPS’s toll free number for Crime Stop at 08600 10111 for tip-offs on any criminal activity as well as information on the whereabouts of wanted criminals or alternatively use My SAPS Application.
In a statement issued on social media, Cresta Shopping Centre assured shoppers that the incident was dealt with swiftly, and that the centre was now operating as usual.
“SAPS and centre security responded swiftly. The suspects are off-site. Rest assured that the centre has been secured and the incident is now the subject of an official police investigation,” the statement read.
[Initial: March 16 11:00]
An armed robbery is reported to have taken place at a jewellery store at Cresta Shopping Centre on March 16.
Mall robbery gave a reminder of how unfit I am, as soon as I gun fire it was run for your life! Cresta mall wants me dead before I get a gf pic.twitter.com/ke51xIetAM
— papa Tinyiko wa mhana Tinyiko (@kNtwanano) March 16, 2024
Reports on social media indicate that for a period, shoppers of the mall were kept inside stores, as security dealt with the situation.
Many took to X to express their shock:
Was doing my hair at a salon when the robbery took place. The commotion and ensuring that patrons are safe after gunshots were heard đź’”
— Thandi Xhasa (@TXhasa) March 16, 2024
My kids are so traumatized, we met the robbers as they made their way out of the mall and they were shooting. We took cover.
— Che (@nginguMaNdlo) March 16, 2024
Where are the crime wardens and drones. How are they being deployed and how is their deployment being monitored
— T – Mac đź’Ł (@RealMTshabalala) March 16, 2024
A representative from Cresta Shopping Centre indicated that no one was available to speak to the media at this stage, and was unable to confirm the incident.
Randburg Sun has approached police for comment, but none was available at the time of publication. This is a developing story. Updates will be published as they become available.
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Related article:Â 3 men arrested for armed robbery in Ferndale
