Roads closed after business robbery
City streets closed after business robbery brought the city to a standstill.
Chaos hit central Pretoria on Friday afternoon and traffic was disrupted when police cordoned off streets after a business robbery.
Police confirmed a 22-year-old man was arrested in connection with the robbery.
Tshwane metro police advised motorists to use alternative routes.
“Take note of a road closure in the city centre due to an armed robbery scene. The road is closed at Pretorius Street from Thabo Sehume to Paul Kruger streets, causing heavy delays. Motorists are advised to avoid the central business district,” said a post on the metro’s official Facebook page.
Police spokesperson Captain Tsekiso Mofokeng said rumours of a hostage situation were untrue and that police are investigating a case of business robbery.
“Two armed men entered a building just after 14:20 before they robbed patrons of their cellphones. The patrons fled the building in different directions before police reached the scene. A 22-year-old was taken into custody for questioning but no charges have been laid against him.”
Nina de Williers, an eyewitness, said she was attending a meeting at 13:30 when she suddenly saw and hear the commotion in the street. Before she knew it, a police helicopter was circling the block and other agencies arrived on the scene.
“People were rushing out of stores into the street to find out what was happening. A security guard informed us that a hostage situation was developing while another police officer spoke of a bank robbery. We did not know what was happening,” she said.
By 16:07 the roads were still closed.
Mofokeng appealed to eye-witnesses and patrons who left the building that was robbed to call the police if they had more information.
The second thief was still at large.
Also read:
Hostage situation in city reported
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