Wild shootout after robbery
While the Dajie family, owners of Eastdene Liquors, are still coming to terms with the loss of a beloved son in an armed robbery last Wednesday, a gang of robbers struck again in the heart of town this weekend.
Almost three days after the fatal shooting of Mr Sam Ranchod during thet Eastdene Liquors robbery, a brazen gang of three targeted Total Sports on Saturday, though this time, they did not get away.
Two of the three robbers, involved in the attack on the sporting goods store around 09:00, were arrested in eMalahleni after they rolled the getaway car, a red Mazda 3 series, close to Tasbet Park.
According to Mr David Ross, who has family staying in the vicinity close to where the robbers were apprehended by police, says all hell broke loose when the trio tried to flee custody.
A shootout ensued between the robbers and SBV security guards, one of whom is the nephew of Mr Ross, leading to the robbers losing control of the Mazda, and rolling.
All three robbers immediately fled into the suburb, with police close on their heels.
A massive manhunt was launched, leading to the arrest of two men linked with the Middelburg robbery.
“If it wasn’t for the brave intervention by the SBV security personnel, and the getaway car rolling, the robbers may very well have gotten away with their crime,” Mr Ross said on Monday.
Not a single SAPS communications officer, neither in Middelburg nor the neighbouring eMahlahleni, were available for comment before print.
Personnel of Total Sports, where an undisclosed cache of goods and money was stolen, were told not to speak to the media.
