SHOPPERS ran for cover when four armed robbers charged into Superspar at Lakeside Mall at 10.45am yesterday.
The men assaulted the manager and a cash-in-transit employee with their guns. They grabbed the guard’s weapon and a large amount of money from the Spar’s office.
One witness said staff members were in tears and customers hid behind tills while the robbery was underway.
Owner of hardware store, Mica (opposite Spar) Costa Patinios, jumped in to help exposed bystanders move from the mall’s corridors into the safety of his shop while the robbers were inside the supermarket.
‘I managed to get five people into my store before closing it,’ said Patinios.
‘Just as I was about to shut the doors, the robbers came out of Spar and saw me.
‘One pointed his gun at me but luckily did not shoot.
‘Another robber cocked his rifle and the gun’s spring and magnet dropped out.
‘They then left and we notified the police immediately.’
The suspects reportedly fled in a powder blue Mercedes Benz.
Richards Bay’s SAPS forensic team cordoned off the area and investigated the scene, where bullets lay scattered on the mall’s floor .
All evidence will be sent to the police forensic laboratory for further examination.
‘A case for business robbery was opened and we are still looking for all the suspects,’ said Richards Bay SAPS spokesperson Debbie Ferreira on Monday afternoon.
‘Both victims of the assault in Spar were taken to Netcare The Bay Hospital and were discharged the same day.
‘They were hit on their upper bodies, but fortunately did not sustain any open wounds or serious injuries.’
Patinios said it was the first time a robbery has occurred in the mall since Lakeside opened 10 years ago.
‘It’s always been a very safe mall until this incident happened,’ Patinios said.
