SAPS arrests trio after daring supermarket robbery
Three men were arrested on Wednesday afternoon after they robbed a supermarket and hijacked a vehicle to flee the scene.
The SAPS arrested three men after they robbed a supermarket on Ermelo Road on Wednesday. According to Springs SAPS spokesperson Sergeant Themba Tshabalala, the complainant reported that he was inside the supermarket when two men entered, pretending to buy a cold drink.
Soon after, the complainant noticed a white VW Polo parked outside, and three more men approached the shop.
“The complainant realised something was amiss when he saw one of the men reach under his shirt. He ran to the back of the shop to an adjoining business to inform them there was a robbery,” said Tshabalala.
“At the time, a SAPS member was driving by and noticed the parked vehicle with no one inside and no number plates. He took the keys from the ignition and moved to a secure place to call for backup.”
Tshabalala said the armed men stole four cellphones and R7 000 inside the shop before trying to flee the scene.
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“When they discovered the car keys were missing, they ran down Van Niekerk Road, forced a vehicle to stop and forced the driver out and drove away in his vehicle,” he said.
As the men fled, a truck further down the road was blocked, resulting in them abandoning the vehicle and fleeing on foot towards an open field. Tshabalala said during the chase, the men fired shots at community members, who returned with three shots.
“The SAPS members and security soon arrived, assisting in the chase. Three of the men were caught, while the other two escaped.”
The police recovered the stolen money and cellphones. Upon further investigation, they found the abandoned vehicle had no identification marks or licence disc, although its registration number matched a similar vehicle from Phillipi in Cape Town.
The arrested men were detained at the Springs Police Station and charged with business robbery and carjacking.
They will soon appear at the Springs Magistrate’s Court.
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