Four men have been arrested following a botched business robbery and a shootout with the police at the Jet outlet in Westonaria at approximately 9.30am on 16 January.
According to Westonaria SAPS spokesperson Thembi Masango, the suspects entered the shop and immediately went to the back of the shop where cellphones are kept.
“Fortunately, an employee stationed in the cellphones department saw them coming and shut the door and locked it,” says Masango.
She adds that the suspects then opted to bag numerous clothing items from the shop, before fleeing on foot.
“Our police officers were driving past the shop when they noticed a commotion.
“They decided to pull over to investigate.
“The next moment the two suspects burst from the shop on foot and the police officers gave chase, catching both men before they could get far.”
Meanwhile, two other accomplices who were seated outside the shop in a getaway vehicle, a white Toyota Siyaya minibus, opened fire at the first sign of the police and fled chased off.
Police officers returned fire and chased the suspects all the way to Simunye where the suspects ditched their vehicle and tried to flee on foot.
Officers gave chase and managed to run down and arrest both suspects.
Another vehicle, a green Nissan, was spotted on Edward Street and is suspected to have been involved in the incident, however this cannot be confirmed at this stage.
The plates on this car were partially covered with a piece of paper in what police say is a well-known tactic used by criminals to avoid being identified.
