WARNING GRAPHIC IMAGES – GALLERY: Two die during shoot-out at Clearwater Mall
STRUBEN’S VALLEY – Police believe that suspects might have been involved in other robberies in the Gauteng malls.
Two suspects were shot dead in a shoot-out between six robbers and police at Clearwater Mall, Struben’s Valley, on the morning of 1 September.
Two other suspects were arrested unharmed while another two who were severely injured, were taken to hospital. No police or innocent bystanders were harmed.
The police and centre security apparently ambushed the robbers.
Gauteng Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Katlego Mogale said police had information of a would-be robbery and observed the incident in the morning.
“Six suspects arrived at the shopping centre and held the van crew at gunpoint, wherein they proceeded to take the cargo and load it into their van. That’s when the police pounced on them,” she explained
The cargo of cell phones, estimated to the value of R1.2 million was recovered on the scene, as well as four unlicensed firearms.
“The [remaining] suspects will appear in court on charges of armed robbery as well as possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition,” said Lt-Col Katlego Mogale.
She concluded that police were not ruling out the possibility that the suspects might have been involved in other cases of armed robbery in Gauteng shopping centres.
“The very same van and suspects have been observed in other malls as well,” concluded Lt Col Katlego Mogale.
According to an earlier statement by Clearwater Mall, the SAPS Special Ops Unit in conjunction with Centre Security responded to an attempted armed robbery of an RTT vehicle.
“Six armed suspects attempted to rob the RTT vehicle in the parking lot. Shots were fired and two suspects were fatally injured, two suspects injured and the remaining two were captured,” The statement continued.
Traumatised eyewitness John Ragedi, who works at a shop in the centre, said workers were no longer feeling safe. “We heard gun shots and when we went to the parking lot we saw two people lying down. It was like a war. It is horrible here,” said Ragedi.
Details: Gauteng SAPS 082 455 5782; Clearwater Shopping Centre 011 288 5260.
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