MEYERTON – A quick-thinking car guard, together with passing motorists and mall staff, became local heroes on January 26 after a dramatic chase to stop a gang of alleged shoplifters at Riverstone Mall.

Car guard Samuel Chabeli (32) first noticed the group in the parking area early that morning, even before the shops had opened.

As the day went on, he watched the group, three men and two women, who had a young child with them, repeatedly returning to their car to drop off items before heading back into the mall.

They took turns going in and out, carrying items to the car all morning, until someone raised the alarm.

The gang continued their spree for several hours until a store employee raised the alarm.

The suspects attempted to flee in their vehicle.

Chabeli chased them on foot and flagged down a minibus taxi, which followed the vehicle.

He later jumped into a Toyota Fortuner after the driver offered to help.

The suspects sped through the streets of Meyerton, reportedly ignoring traffic signs, until the Fortuner intercepted them in Rothdene.

The minibus taxi helped block the road, forcing the suspects to stop.

The suspects were escorted back to the mall and handed over to authorities.

Officers at Meyerton Police Station confirmed that four stores had been targeted during the spree.

Over R8 000 worth of stolen goods were recovered and returned.

No injuries were reported during the arrest.