Armed robbers have struck at yet another Ackermans store in Kempton Park, this time at Elgin Mall in Birchleigh.
According to Col Tobie Strauss, station commander of Norkem Park SAPS, it is believed up to seven male suspects struck at the clothing store on Tuesday at around 9.55am.
Five employees and a customer were in the store at the time.
“The [store] manager claimed that two of the suspects pointed firearms at them and locked them in the storeroom,” Strauss told Express.
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It has not been confirmed for how long the victims were in the storeroom. According to Strauss, security officials broke down the storeroom door to free the employees and shopper.
Upon their release, the manager found money was missing from the till, as well as 35 cellphones. The shopper was also robbed of R700, a watch and bracelet.
“Video footage was obtained and the incident will be investigated by the Ekurhuleni North Trio Task Team,” Strauss concluded.
No shots were fired and the victims escaped without injury.
Rudi Smith, head for security at Elgin Mall, told Express that the incident was under control but refused to give further comment.
Mall managers and owners could not comment on Tuesday afternoon.
A similar incident occurred on December 23, when four men entered Ackermans Women at Glen Acres Shopping Centre and held two employees at gunpoint. An unknown amount of cash and cellphones were taken, and a female shopper was shot and wounded as the suspects fled.
