UPDATE: Robbers hit two malls in one day
The police managed to arrest some of the robbers.
POLICE officers and armed response personnel from security companies had a busy day on Wednesday, November 16 after responding to two incidents of business robberies that happened within hours of each other.
ALSO READ: BREAKING NEWS: Shop robbery at a Doonside Mall
At Seadoone Mall in Dooneside, three armed men entered Pep Stores and held up staff at 13:30. Amanzimtoti SAPS spokesperson Captain Charlene van der Spuy said one of the suspects showed the cashier a firearm on his waist and informed her that a robbery was in progress.
“The suspect demanded that she take him to the back of the shop and open the safe containing cellphones. The cashier told him that she did not have the key, and the suspect demanded that she call the person who has the key,” said Van der Spuy.
The other two suspects then allegedly approached the floor manager and escorted her to the back office where they forced her to open two safes, one with the cellphones and another one containing cash.
“She opened the safe with cellphones, after which the suspects used three store bags to load several makes of cellphones. The back office is small, and only one safe could be opened at a time. After taking the cellphones, the suspects exited the back office,” said Van der Spuy.
On their way out, the suspects also helped themselves to various clothing items before fleeing the scene. No cash was taken, and nothing was stolen from the employees. Van der Spuy said the estimated value of the stolen goods is R500 000.
After information about the robbery was relayed to the police and local security companies, the suspects’ car was intercepted, and the men were arrested as they tried to flee on foot.
Five hours later, response officers were called out again after 12 heavily armed men stormed Winklespruit Spar. It has not been confirmed what the robbers took, but information from a local security company indicates that they made their getaway in two cars – a white Mercedes Benz and a white Renault Duster. The suspects are still at large.
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