‘Robber’ killed in Erasmuskloof shootout
It is alleged the man and his accomplices robbed a Vodacom store at a Pretoria east shopping centre. After a shootout with law enforcement officers, the alleged attackers were caught.
A man was killed and two others were injured in a shootout between a group of alleged armed robbers and local authorities in a veld along the R50 road in Erasmuskloof.
Police spokesperson Captain Mavela Masondo said an unknown man entered the Vodacom shop at Atterbury Value Mart around 10:10 and waited to be “helped” by the staff.
Shortly afterwards, another suspect entered and approached one of the salespeople. The suspect then took out a firearm and ushered the staff member to one of the offices inside the shop, where he demanded cellphones.
The staff member handed over around 20 fake phones, which were put into a backpack. On leaving the store, the attackers also took four phones off some of the other staff members along with an unknown amount of cash from the cash register.
“As they were running out of the store, a firearm magazine fell to the ground.
“They then got into a silver Toyota Corolla with two other suspects. A chase ensued by Bull and Brinant security and later joined by a Garsfontein police vehicle.
“In Erasmuskloof, the suspects were cut off and forced out of the vehicle. A shooting broke out between the suspects and various security personnel. One of the suspects was fatally shot. A search continued into some dense bushes and the other three suspects were also found by police officers and security members. One of them was found with a bullet wound in the upper leg. He was taken to hospital,” Masondo said.
ER24 emergency service spokesperson Russel Meiring said ER24 paramedics, along with other medical services, arrived on the scene at 10:54 to find local authorities already in attendance.
According to Atterbury Value Mart spokesperson Rozanne Hartze, a shot was fired during the robbery and the suspects fled.
Two other suspects sustained injuries; one was shot in the leg, while the other got a cut on his hand.
All stolen goods have since been recovered, as well as two handguns.
This was the second robbery at the shopping centre this week.
On Tuesday morning, three suspects fled with about R50 000 after a robbery at Newlands Accessories.
Hartze said the shopping centre valued the safety of its customers and was putting extensive security measures in place.
“The safety of our shoppers is of the utmost importance to us. Please be assured that we are not taking this matter lightly and we will ensure the safety of our shoppers and our tenants, using all available resources,” she said.
“Extensive security measures are in place, including closed circuit television and a team of security personnel.”
Brooklyn CPF, CSI security, Bull security, Fidelity ADT as well as others were part of the team that helped apprehend the group.
Brooklyn SAPS will be investing a case of murder, attempted murder and possession of an unlicensed firearm as well as business robbery.
The suspects were all between 20 and 35-years-old and were from Tembisa and Johannesburg, according the police.
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