VANDERBIJLPARK. – Cases of business robbery and possession of unlicenced firearms are being investigated after police recently saw four suspects on foot who were being chased by a shop owner as they were running towards a getaway vehicle.
The owner was screaming for help and the suspects were cornered by the police.One suspect managed to disappear into nearby houses. Police spokesperson Captain Fikile Funda said the incident happened at the Faraday Boulevard Shopping Centre on January 30 at around 16:55.
Funda said the suspects entered the shop and held the manager and his two assistants at gunpoint. The suspects, aged between 25 and 30 apparently instructed the victims to lie on the ground.
Two suspects ransacked the shop, looting cash, cartons of cigarettes, boxes of chocolates, a CCTV hard drive, energy drinks and the cell phones of the victims.
“While running back to their getaway car the police saw them and gave chase,” said Funda. They were arrested and found to be in possession of two firearms, ammunition and the stolen items. No shots were fired.
The suspects are from Palm Springs. The vehicle with North West registration plates that was used by the suspects was not reported as stolen.
