Robbers target three businesses
Four armed men who robbed three businesses in the east of Pretoria at the weekend are still at large.
The same four armed men who robbed Woodhill Spar on Sunday night apparently also pounced on two other companies in Wapadrant Saturday morning.
Riaan Le Roux, owner of IT.etc, said his employees were robbed at gunpoint by the same men around 10:20. The armed men not only robbed IT.etc but also Coastal Hire. The two companies share the same office space.
“They robbed both companies of electronic equipment and other valuables,” Le Roux said.
The four armed men divided into groups of two when they entered the property on Saturday.
The first two men entered IT.etc and ordered everyone to move to the back of the store. “The other two men herded employees outside and to the inside of the store.”
Le Roux said he believed this could have been an inside job seeing as the robbers knew who to ask for when they entered the shop.
A female employee was assaulted during the robbery.
The robbers forced the employees into a walk-in safe as they ransacked the offices. They spent about 30 minutes looking for valuable items.
Le Roux said an employee phoned the Garsfontein police while the robbery was taking place. “The police were on their way when they realised the company did not fall under their jurisdiction. They turned back and returned to the station. More than an hour later the Silverton police showed up.”
Garsfontein police spokesperson Warrant officer Dave Muller said he was not aware of this, but suggested Le Roux should lay an official complaint with the station commander.
“If an official complaint is made, the police can investigate the matter. If there is any truth to the matter, the necessary steps will be taken,” he said.
Le Roux said the four armed men fled the scene in a white Nissan Juke.
“A client later suspected something was wrong. When he investigated he found the employees in the walk-in safe,” he said.
The Woodhill Spar was also robbed by four armed men in a white Nissan Juke.
Muller said the four armed men casually entered the store and forced employees to hand over money before taking off.
Muller said as robbers left the store they fired seven to eight shots at the property.
“No one was injured during the robbery. There is only damage to the property itself,” Muller said.
He said the four men fled in a white Nissan Juke.
The Silverton police could not yet provide comment.
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