UPDATE: 14 June 2014, 5:30pm – After an intense chase from Midrand to Woodmead the two suspects involved in a hijacking and robbery on the morning of 14 June were arrested at the Woodmead Retail Mart.
According to a security guard at the centre the suspects had allegedly stolen the car from a Volkswagen dealership in Midrand. Norman Makgalemele, building manager of the Woodmead Retail Mart, said that the suspects drove into the shopping centre in a Volkswagen Golf with a police helicopter pursuing them. A shooter in the helicopter shot at the car three times until their vehicle stopped and the two suspects ran into the centre.
Makgalemele said, “I closed the gates of the centre when the two men came in and locked them in. I opened up to let the police in and handle the situation. The one man went into the Floor Direct and the other went into Diesel. There were 5 police cars surrounding the building and they quickly entered the building to search for the two criminals.”
He said that the police apprehended one of the suspects hiding in Floor Direct but couldn’t find the second suspect in Diesel. Makgalemele added that as they took the first suspect out of the store. He then identified his partner to the police, who discovered he had changed into different clothes in the Diesel outlet in order to escape arrest.
Witnesses at the scene commended the police’s work, and cheered at the scene as they arrested the two suspects. One onlooker said, “The helicopter pilot was amazing. He was able to get really close to the building and put pressure on the criminals until the police were able to catch them. They were able to sort out the whole situation really well”
As of yet the Sandton police have not released a statement regarding the incident.
Initial report: According to Twitter reports an armed robbery is currently taking place at Woodmead Retail Mart in Woodmead.
A series of Tweets from @SandtonTimes report that the suspects stole a VW in Woodmead and were inside the Diezel outlet.
The suspects have reportedly been arrested and a large crowd gathered outside the outlet cheered as police lead the suspects away.
The area has reportedly been cordoned off as a police helicopter lands on the scene and the police investigation begins.
Sandton Police spokesperson, Captain Kym Cloete is yet to confirm the reports.
A Sandton Chronicle reporter is headed to the scene and more information will follow as it becomes available.
