Armed robbery and attempted murder case opened after Menlyn Park Shopping centre shooting

Police have opened a case of attempted murder following an armed robbery in which two security officers were shot and wounded at the Menlyn Park Shopping Centre on Saturday morning.

The two guards were escorting a courier van making deliveries at the centre when they were blocked by a silver Honda CRV in Palala Road at the delivery entrance, according to police spokesperson warrant officer Duane Lightfoot.

“A number of suspects got out of the Honda and began shooting at the escort vehicle with rifles and pistols.

“The number of shots fired is unknown at this stage,” he said.

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Lightfoot said the security officers managed to get into the centre’s parking area.

“By that time, the courier van was stationary at the boom gate and the driver was hiding,” he said.

“The suspects then gained entry through the van’s backdoor with a grinder. They stole boxes containing an undisclosed number of laptops and cellphones worth more than R900 000.”

Lightfoot said the suspects also took another uniformed security officer’s pistol, bulletproof vest, hand radio and car keys.

“The security officers who were in the escort vehicle were both injured.

One was shot in the right hand and the other one in the right shoulder.

Both were taken to hospital,” he said.

Lightfoot said police were looking for about eight suspects, ages unknown, who fled in the Honda and a white Mercedes.

Anyone with information can contact the police at 10111 or the Brooklyn police station at 012-366-1700.