Police shot and wounded two armed robbers in central Dundee.
Earlier, a gang of five men had threatened staff at Big Wheel Motors, on the corner of Gladstone and McKenzie Streets, and made off with R20 000 in airtime vouchers and R5 500 in cash.
The men had arrived at Big Wheel and demanded that all petrol attendants lie down on the forecourt. Those in the convenience shop were also threatened and robbed.
The alarm was raised by a customer who arrived to put in petrol. He realised that he had stumbled upon a robbery, and immediately drove to the police station.
Police responded immediately. Men fitting the description provided by witnesses were spotted in the area.
A shoot-out ensued between police and the gang, with at least eight shots fired, witnesses said.
One man was shot in the buttocks and leg, and was arrested.
A second man tried to get through the front door of the Dundee & District Club, which was locked. He then scaled the motorised security gate – although he had also been shot in the leg.
He attempted to hide in the doorway of an outside toilet after trying to break open a back security gate to the club.
By this time, police had opened the gate. The man was found and arrested. Two unlicensed firearms and ammunition were recovered, along with all the stolen goods and money.
A silver Fiat vehicle, which was believed to have been used by the gang, was also impounded. The Motor Vehicle Theft Unit was contacted to check the authenticity of the vehicle, as the registration, engine and chassis numbers did not correspond.
An ambulance was called to take both injured robbers to hospital, where they remain under police guard.
The other three robbers managed to escape.
A police spokesman said the arrested suspects will appear in Court on charges of business robbery, attempted murder and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition. They will appear in the Dundee Magistrates’ Court when they have been discharged from hospital.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Lieutenant Mpungose on 034 299 9700.
