Liquor store robbery suspects nabbed after shootout with police
The police retaliated after the fleeing suspects stared to shoot at them. Two suspects were shot in the process.
LIMPOPO –Â The police in Lulekani have arrested five suspects following a robbery at a liquor store on the evening of Thursday, 12 November.
The group of men, armed with firearms, stormed the liqour store at around 18:00 and robbed the emplyees of their cellphones. Thereafter they took and undisclosed amount of money and fled the scene in a white bakkie, Police Spokesperson, Col Moatshe Ngoepe explained.
The police were alerted and through initial investigations the suspects were traced within the vicinity.
“The suspects’ vehicle was spotted and when the police tried to stop it, the suspects started to shoot at them. The police retaliated and two suspects were shot and injured. The remaining three suspects were cornered and arrested.”
During the arrest the police recovered the money which is believed to be that which was stolen during the robbery as well as two firearms, ammunition and 10 cellphones. The getaway vehicle was also confiscated.
All five suspects are expected to appear in the Lulekani Magistrate Court on charges of business robbery, ten counts of attempted murder and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
Ngoepe added that they may still be linked to more other similar cases in and around the area as investigations unfold.Â
The Provincial Police Commissioner of the South African Police Service, Lt Genl Nneke Ledwaba applauded the police for their swift reaction which led to this ‘milestone achievement’.
