A Warner Beach supermarket was robbed by armed men who opened fire on police in a dramatic shoot-out on Thursday night, 1 September.
ET Rapid Response responded to a panic alarm at Victory KwikSpar and reaction officer, Louis van Rooyen saw two armed men acting suspiciously in the car park on his arrival.
He drove past, stopped further down the road and called for back-up.
“This split-second assessment and decision-making no doubt saved Louis’ life, as the suspects had strategically positioned themselves for any first responders,” said ET Rapid Response South Coast managing member, Tony Lokker.
The second vehicle to arrive was a CCPO officer, who was shot at as the thieves fled the scene. “They used R5 rifles and AK47s and shot at both the CCPO officer and our response officer. They also shot at a member of the public, hitting their vehicle while they were in the car. Fortunately no-one was injured,” said Lokker.
The men fled with an undisclosed amount of cash and cigarettes. They left behind explosives which authorities believe they were going to use to blow up the drop safe.
The area was cordoned off while the SAPS explosives unit and forensics gathered evidence and made the store safe. “A big thank you to Turning Point Amanzimtoti and Johnny Laidlaw who came out to counsel the victims,” said Lokker.
“This is the first incident at Victory Spar in 14 years and we are confident SAPS, Et and the CCPO will keep our premises safe in the future,” said owner Allen Hawkins.
Were you there? We’d like to hear from any eyewitnesses to the shoot-out.
Send an email to earlb@dbn.caxton.co.za
DID YOU KNOW?
Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics.
To receive news links via WhatsApp, send an invite to 061 694 6047
The South Coast Sun is also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest – why not join us there?
Do you have more information pertaining to this story?
Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.
