Hunt on for jewellery robbers
Police continue hunt for four jewellery robbers linked to a syndicate after attempted store robbery at Mall@Reds on Saturday afternoon.
Gopolang Chawane
Police are still hunting for four armed men after a robbery in Mall@Reds on Saturday afternoon.
A shootout left an ADT response officer wounded.
Wierdabrug police spokesperson Captain Agnes Huma said one of the robbers was arrested on Saturday, but the other four got away.
This robber had appeared in court and remained in police custody.
Orange Fox general manager Andre Hills confirmed the arrest of one of the robbers, and said the robbers who escaped were part of a larger syndicate.
“We have alerted all police officials and CPF members about this syndicate, because we have identified their faces in previous robbery CCTV footage,” said Hills.
He said the stolen jewellery was recovered but further investigation was underway in trying to find the culprits.
Hills said two people came to the store and scouted the jewellery store minutes before it was robbed.
“An ADT officer was unfortunately caught in the cross-fire and was wounded in the arm but has since made a healthy recovery,” said Hills.
The jewellery store was robbed by three men and two women on Saturday at the Mall@Reds, where one was arrested after a brief shootout with ADT security.
Erasmia police spokesperson Constable Tumisang Moloto confirmed the robbery on Saturday, at the mall, but could not give further information, as police were still on the scene investigating.
“The suspects got away, but police are still looking for them, so we will be able to give further information later,” Moloto said.
Vanessa Jacobs from Orange Fox Security said a woman and a man walked into the store, scouted what was happening and left just before the other five robbers walked into the jewellery store.
“The five robbers walked in and asked for jewellery and money. They took cellphones as well. One of the workers at the jewellery store walked in and started screaming,” Jacobs said.
“The robbers then pointed a gun at her and took everything, before walking out of the store.”
Jacobs said one of the women working in the store ran out and shouted for help, which is when the robbers’ vehicle was prevented from leaving the premises by the mall’s gate.
“Orange Fox closed the gates to the mall. The robbers got out of the panel van and ran away. One was apprehended, but the others got away.”
She said that and ADT chased one of the robbers, leading to a shootout. An ADT officer was wounded in the arm.
Jacobs said the robbers were carrying 9mm pistols. Everything taken during the robbery was recovered.
The spokesperson of Heide-Marie Meier Jewellery shop expressed relief that one of the robbers have been caught.
“The safety of our customers and staff is of the utmost importance to us and we will make sure that they are safe, especially during the holiday season. We will not rest until all the robbers have been caught.”
The spokesperson said more security measures had been implemented at the shop.
“Measures to strengthen security at the Mall@Reds will be discussed with the mall management.”
Also read:
Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 072 435 7717.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites:
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram.
- We have exciting news! We’re offering a free alert to help you always be in the loop. Send an email with the word ‘Subscribe’ to breakingnews@rekord.co.za to receive your free daily breaking news update
