While the Gauteng Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela has commended the off-duty officers who selflessly placed themselves in harm’s way during the Cradlestone Mall jewellery shop robbery, BCI Security boss Corinda Loots has also hailed her own officer’s bravery.
Quinn Young, the BCI training instructor who is currently being treated at a hospital, went beyond his call of duty to save innocent patrons at Cradlestone Mall on Sunday, 16 August.
The unarmed security officer was on his way home from training when he learnt about the robbery at the mall.
“When he arrived on scene with DMS Security they didn’t have a lot of information with regard to the location of the perpetrators in the shopping centre. The instructor stopped at the entrance boom gates where he tried to get members of the public away and out of danger as soon as possible,” Corinda explained.
“By that time, unbeknown to them, the robbers had already left the building and got into two getaway vehicles, a dark blue Audi sedan and a silver Mercedes-Benz. While the instructor was busy talking to the security officers at the entrance boom gates, the two getaway vehicles drove out. In the process, an occupant of the Audi fired a shot and hit the instructor in the right shoulder. Unfortunately, both vehicles managed to get away,” she further explained.
“Young was treated at the scene by Netcare 911 paramedics and he was airlifted to Netcare Milpark Hospital. He was admitted to ICU and was in a stable condition. Unfortunately, there are bullets fragments lodged in his shoulder and he will undergo surgery to have them removed. A case of attempted murder will be opened for investigation by the police,” Corinda said.
The BCI boss concluded by hailing Young as a brave man who went out without a gun to help the public.
A speedy recovery is wished upon Young and those who suffered traumatic stress because of the ordeal.
