NEWCASTLE – What seemed to be a normal day at the office, soon turned into a nightmare, when staff were held at gunpoint at an outlet at Newcastle Mall on May 30.
Also see: Breaking news: Local outlet held at gunpoint
Lizzy Aramugum of Newcastle Police Communications Department confirmed the incident, five men allegedly entered the store, masquerading as customers, before proceeding to rob the popular outlet of expensive goods, such as cellphones, I-pads and an undisclosed amount of money.
“No suspects have been caught as yet,” added Mrs Aramugum.
Hester Malan of Newcastle Mall’s management team said the incident occurred at about 5.30pm, and the final value of the stock stolen from the store was yet to be determined. However, an official source claimed the figure was in the region of R800 000.
“The incident is under investigation, and we are working closely with police on the case,” she said.
Newcastle Advertiser readers soon caught wind of what had transpired, and expressed their unmitigated shock via social media.
Here is what they had to say:
“Ja hey.. Its not gonna stop !!! n so is this enough for the mall to install proper security systems???”- Reshant Somaru.
“dis gt nting 2 do wud deals and da shop but more about human life,having a gun to ur head and trown into a safe is nt nice at all,be happy dat every1 is alive more then da deals,” -Sandesh Rambally.
“Hulle moet maar eerder ithemba security gebruik dan sal dit nie gebeur nie,” – Ferde Watt.
“Who were so clever? Why can’t they be caught? Wasn’t it an inside job?” – Marina Smal.
“just glad no-one was hurt or killed,” – Belinda Ellor.
*Posts quoted verbatim.
The Newcastle Advertiser has since received word nobody was harmed during the robbery.
While the circumstances leading up to the incident remain unclear, it will remain subject to police investigations in the coming weeks.
