A robber was gunned down and another arrested early today after a shootout with police following a robbery that took place in a well-known jewellery shop at the Oak Centre in Ermelo.
Information at police’s disposal revealed that two armed men went into the jewellery shop where they found employees busy assisting a customer. They held the employees as well as the customer at gun point and thereafter helped themselves with the jewellery. While the robbers where still inside the shop they noticed security guards at the complex. They contacted their getaway vehicle, attempted to ascent to it and in the process they began to fire shots at the police who were already summoned as well as the security guards. When the driver of the suspects’ getaway vehicle noticed the gun fight, he sped off leaving his collaborators behind.
One of the suspects continued to fire shots at the police and the security guards but was lethally wounded. The other suspect ran into a house at the location to hide in not knowing that it belongs to a police officer and he was busted. Police have since recovered the firearm and the loot which was stolen from the shop.
The arrested suspect aged 30 will appear at the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 24 April 2017, facing charges of business robbery, attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
It is believed that there are two other suspects who fled the scene and a manhunt for them is underway. Anyone with information is urged to contact Lieutenant Colonel Brian Tsela at 082 340 9901 or Crime Stop at 08600 10111.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
