‘They filled bags with whisky’ – Alberton store owner speaks after deadly liquor heist

A broad-daylight business robbery at Dog Box Liquor Store on Kritzinger Avenue in Verwoerdpark, Alberton, ended in a deadly freeway shootout between suspects and law enforcement officers on the afternoon of April 7.

According to the Dog Box Liquor Store owner, who asked to remain anonymous, 11 of the suspects fled in a silver Renault Triber and a white Suzuki after looting the store.

The suspects joined the N3 northbound before turning onto the N12 west at the Elands Interchange, where police intercepted them near Voortrekker Road.

As officers closed in, the suspects opened fire from their vehicle, triggering a gun battle that left four of them dead and one wounded.

@albertonrecord

A business robbery at Dog Box Liquor Store on Kritzinger Avenue in Verwoerdpark, Alberton, ended in a deadly shootout between suspects and police on April 7. According to City of Ekurhuleni spokesperson Zweli Dlamini, five suspects fled the scene in a silver Renault Triber. They travelled along Kritzinger Avenue, joined the N3 northbound, and then took the N12 west at the Elands Interchange.

♬ original sound – Alberton Record

The wounded suspect, shot in the leg, was transported to Thelle Mogoerane Regional Hospital under police guard.

The EMPD Community Liaison Unit (CLU) and other law enforcement agencies tracked the suspects in real time.

Their quick response and coordination helped to end the high-speed chase and violent encounter.

Officers also recovered three firearms – two 9mm pistols and a revolver -during the operation.

How the robbery unfolded

The owner said 11 suspects were involved in the robbery. Eight entered the store, while three remained outside.

“One suspect posed as a customer and sent a message to the others once inside. That was when two more came in and began fighting with the security,” he said.

The armed gang forced one staff member to help pack liquor into large plastic bags and boxes.

“They filled three large plastics with bottles of whisky worth about R40 000 and stole R5 000 in cash,” the owner said.

The entire ordeal, according to CCTV footage, took eight minutes.

The store owner said he was on a stock run when the robbery occurred. His wife and staff were inside the shop.

“She locked herself in the office as soon as she realised what was happening,” he said.

“The robbers attempted to open the office but were unsuccessful.”

His wife called to alert him, and without wasting time, he called CPS Security.

“The big car, which carried most of the stolen alcohol, got away,” the owner confirmed.

Three customers were inside the store at the time of the robbery. One had their phone taken at gunpoint. The store has been operating for nearly two years, and this is the first robbery the owners have experienced.

“This left us shaken. My staff is traumatised. We are working on increasing our security,” the owner said.

Joccobeth Raisibe Mafokoane, a cashier at the store, described the terrifying moment the robbers stormed in.

“They all pointed their guns at me and demanded cash. I could not sleep last night – I kept having nightmares,” she said.

Ongoing crime wave

This incident is weeks after a similar robbery at Shoprite Liquor in the same area.

On that occasion, ten suspects stole an estimated R100 000 worth of whisky, cognac, and cigarettes.

Store manager Joseph Dlamini said it was the first time criminals targeted them since opening in 2019.

“They even took our cellphones. It all happened so fast—we were shocked and traumatised,” he said.

As police continue their investigations, EMPD has praised the swift collaboration with other law enforcement agencies to combat crime in the city by bringing lawbreakers to book and facing the full might of the law.

The hunt continues for the remaining suspects, and police are still searching for the second getaway vehicle.

WATCH: 4 suspects shot dead after liquor store robbery in Alberton