The teenager, along with his two accomplices, had robbed the driver of a cigarette delivery vehicle of R500 at about 8am near some Esselen Park RDP houses.
According to the Norkem Park SAPS spokesperson, Capt Lesibana Molokomme, the driver of the cigarette vehicle was being followed by a light blue Toyota Tazz with three men inside.
“The delivery driver stopped at a local spaza shop and when he returned to the vehicle, two of the suspects pointed firearms at him. They demanded money and the cigarettes that were in the car,” said Capt Molokomme.
The third suspect, who was the driver in the suspects’ vehicle, remained inside the Tazz.
The fast-thinking delivery driver shouted and pressed his hooter for help, which alerted residents who came out to see what was happening.
When the robbers saw the community coming, they fled. The one suspect, who had the R500 in cash with him, managed to jump into the Tazz and the two sped off, leaving the teen behind.
He was caught and beaten by the community.
“When police officers arrived at the scene, the suspect was handed to the police with serious injuries and paramedics were called in to treat him,” said Capt Molokomme.
The suspect was taken to hospital where he is currently under police guard.
The 19 year old will face charges of armed robbery and possession of an unlicensed firearm.
The other two suspects are still at large.
