Armed robbery sees 10 tills cleaned-out at east fruit and veg shop
Gunfire rang out as a security guard tried to obstruct the get-away vehicle, by closing off the centre's gate.
Police are investigating a business robbery at Fruit Stop Silverton on Wednesday afternoon, that led to the business’ tills being cleaned out.
Silverton police spokesperson Warrant Officer Isaac Mculu said police were investigating a business robbery that occurred at 15:00.
“According to investigations, five male suspects entered the store, one armed with a firearm.
“They approached the tills, near the exit and the firearm was pointed at employees.”
Mculu said this led to a senior employee complying with their demands, leading to 10 till machines being cleaned out of their day’s earnings.
“We suspect that approximately R100 000 was taken as each till keeps close to R10 000.”
He said the suspects made their get-away in a grey Mercedes Benz.
Mculu said gunfire rang out when the security guard tried to obstruct the get-away vehicle, by closing off the centre’s security gate.
“They fired a round to the floor, which shook the security guard, leading to their escape.”
He said, however, no one was injured at the scene.
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This comes as earlier, in June, Silverton police sent out a warning to motorists to be aware when driving in certain areas, especially if they were considered crime hotspots.
Mculu said police had noted an increase in crimes including theft out of and of motor vehicles, armed robberies and carjackings.
“These crimes are a serious problem and we are warning motorists to be vigilant,” he said.
Silverton police station commander Colonel KD Swanepoel warned the community to be extra vigilant of theft out of motor vehicles as well as theft of motor vehicles when approaching the following areas:
– Corner Pretoria Road and Fakkel Street, Silverton, corner Pretoria and De Boulevard Street, Silverton, corner Pretoria Road and Buckle Street, corner Pretoria Road and Van Wyk Street, Silverton as well as Pretoria Road and Watermeyer Street, Waltloo testing grounds, Simon Vermooten Road near Samcor Park, Albertus Street, La Montagne, N4 Gateway, corner Bronkhorstspruit Road and Solomon Mahlangu Drive. Mculu said there were also intersections, bridges, four-way stops and traffic lights to look out for. He listed the following hotspots for serious and violent crimes:
– Corner Pretoria Road and Cussonia Avenue in Koedoespoort, corner Cussonia and Meiring Naude, N1 and N4 on-ramps and off-ramps, N4 off-ramp onto Simon Vermooten, N4 in both directions between Rossouw and Bronkhorstspruit when the sun goes down as well as Rossouw and Simon Vermooten in Wilgers. Hotspots for vehicle-related crimes, common robberies, carjackings, armed robberies and murder are:
– Down Pretoria Road from Medicross past Sammy Marks museum, Dykor Road from Pretoria Road to Stormvoël, Watermeyer Street from the N4 highway until the Waltloo area, Simon Vermooten Road from Lynnwood to Zasm Street in Waltloo, Lynnwood Road from The Grove mall to Solomon Mahlangu Drive as well as Solomon Mahlangu Drive from Lynnwood Road to Mamelodi.
“Silverton police are working hand in hand with security companies and the neighbourhood watches. To prevent such crimes, the police are also patrolling those areas day and night.”
He warned motorists to be vigilant, especially at malls and shopping centres.
“Put all your valuables in the boot and make sure your vehicle is locked by physically checking the doors. If you suspect you are being followed by a vehicle, contact your nearest police station as you drive there.” In case your car is stolen, Mculu advised motorists to make sure they had a tracker or a cheap cellphone with GPS.
“Get a prepaid SIM card, register a Google account on it, put it on silent so it does not ring and hides it inside your vehicle. Recharge it when you are at home and put it back,” he said.
“Give two or more friends your username and password and they will be able to track your vehicle live when it is stolen.”
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