The quick thinking by an EPR Security reaction officer led to the arrest of one suspect following a business robbery in Burgershoop.

Johan Krogh, General Manager of EPR West Rand told the News that one of their reaction officers responded to a panic button activation at about 6.30pm on Wednesday, 22 July.

He said several armed thugs were in the process of robbing a business on Commissioner Street in Burgershoop.

“Within one minute EPR response officer Jan-Gerhard Ehlers arrived at the premises and noticed two suspects exiting the business. When they noticed Ehlers they produced a firearm and opened fire on him whilst he was still driving the vehicle,” Krogh said.

Fortunately, Ehlers was not hit and he immediately called for backup before returning fire.

The suspects sped off in a gold-coloured Toyota, the alleged getaway vehicle, and Ehlers gave chase.

During the chase he managed to disable one of the tyres of the getaway vehicle, causing the driver to lose control and crash into another vehicle.”

The two suspects whom Ehlers saw exiting the premises after the robbery managed to escape but he was able to arrest the driver of the getaway vehicle.

He also found some of the money that was stolen from the business inside the vehicle.

Upon further investigation at the original crime scene it was confirmed that no less than seven robbers were involved in the armed robbery and that the other robbers used a silver Toyota as getaway vehicle,” Krogh added.

EPR Security handed the crime scene and the suspect over to the police for further investigation.

Krogh said they are grateful that none of their clients or the 35-year-old Ehlers was injured in the incident.

“We trust that, with the assistance of the suspect that was arrested and the cellphones that were found in the vehicle, the police will be able to make further arrests in this matter very soon,” said Krogh.

He added that they are proud of Ehlers who managed to recover some of the stolen money and apprehend one of the suspects, and also urged business owners to be especially vigilant during closing times.