JUST IN: Suspect dies in shootout with police following armed robbery on Scott Street

One suspect died in a shootout with Vrede SAPS, and another suspect was arrested following an armed robbery at a well established retail store on Scott Street yesterday afternoon (August 22).

ALSO READ: BREAKING NEWS: Armed robbery at store on Scott Street in Newcastle

According to Newcastle SAPS Corporate Communications and Liaison Officer, Captain Jabulani Ncube, four suspects entered the store and held the store manager, two employees and a customer hostage.

“The criminals tied the four victims up and kept them at the back of the store, while pointing a firearm at the managers head.”

The suspects then proceeded to steal bottles of perfume, cellphones and cash, and fled the scene in two separate vehicles: a Volkswagen Polo and an Audi A3.

Morné Potgieter, Head of Newcastle 911 and Operational Manager at a local security firm, said they were informed of the armed robbery and immediately responded.

“We then received a tip-off informing us the vehicles were travelling on the R34, towards Memel. So we contacted the authorities in Memel and requested they cordon off the roads leading to Memel, but the suspects were able to avoid the roadblock.”

Emergency services including SAPS and the security company gave chase after the suspects, who were en route to Vrede.

However, Vrede SAPS had also already put a roadblock in place, together with the help of local farmers.

The Polo was then involved in a collision near the Vrede turn-off.

A shootout occurred between the two suspects and police, resulting in the one suspect being fatally wounded and the second being apprehended.

ALSO READ: UPDATE: Witness account of the Sportscene armed robbery on Scott Street in Newcastle

The Audi A3 overturned about 10 kilometres away from Vrede, and the two suspects fled on foot, and are currently still at large.

Potgieter said the Audi was confirmed to have been stolen during a hijacking.

Officials retrieved the stolen cash, perfumes and cellphones, as well as two firearms from the vehicle.

“A case of armed robbery was opened at Newcastle SAPS and two Section 36 cases were opened at Vrede SAPS against the suspects, and an inquest will be investigated following the death of the suspect,” concluded Captain Ncube.

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