Police are on a manhunt for four suspects in connection with a business robbery at a Cell C store in Birch Acres Mall on Wednesday morning.According to Sgt Johanna Madiga, spokesperson for Norkem Park SAPS, the store was robbed by six suspects but police and security personnel were able to apprehend two.
“One of the employees alleges he was assisting a customer when two men walked into the store and came directly to him,” said Madiga.
“They told him they had come to see him and he asked them to wait, as he was assisting someone else. Once the customer left, one of the suspects said he wanted to open a cellphone contract. While he was attending to him, his accomplice went behind the counter and stated it was a robbery and employees needed to cooperate.”
There were three employees at the times of the incident.
Both suspects allegedly pulled up their T-shirts to show their firearms and four more suspects entered the store.
“Two of the employees were forced to the back of the store and the suspects started taking cellphones, putting them into bags,” said Madiga.
“Some of the items are believed to have been delivered by a courier company a short while before the incident. It is also alleged a mall security personnel walked inside the store and asked whether everything was in order. Out of fear, the employees said yes.
“Soon after the security man left, the suspects ran out of the store, leaving the bags with the items they had taken.”
They only took two cellphones they took from the employees.
One of the employees managed to press a panic button during the incident which led to the police and security rushing to the mall.
“Four suspects managed to get away, but two of them were arrested just outside the mall by the police and a security officer,” said Madiga.
No shots were fired. It is believed the suspects were using a Toyota Quantum, which was parked in the mall parking lot.
“We appeal to the community to be alert of suspicious people and to not try and become heroes should they be approached by these suspects as they are dangerous,” warned Madiga.
“During the festive season, suspects often target people withdrawing big amounts of cash, especially members from various stokvels. People should rather try and make transfers which are much safer.
