Acting spokesperson for the Edenvale SAPS, Lieutenant Colonel Robbie Roberts, said the two detectives suspected something was amiss when they noticed a retail clothing store in the CBD was open, but the payment counter was unmanned.
One of the detectives decided to wait outside the store for a few minutes, a decision which paid off when moments later he saw a man walking around inside the store with a firearm.
“The detective told his fellow officer and the two entered the store,” said Lt Col Roberts.
The officers arrested the two men and confiscated the firearm being used to hold employees at gun point.
At the time it was believed the firearm the men were using was a toy gun but it was later discovered to be real.
Lt Col Roberts confirmed that the two men are residents of Alexandra and had previously been arrested on similar charges, including aggravated robbery.
“It was the right time and the right place for the two detectives and the wrong place and time for the criminals,” he said.
The two men are expected to appear in the Germiston Regional Court on Friday.
