News / Africa
Robbers cornered at a Mall
04 Mar 2016 at 05:55hrs | Views
IN THE early hours of yesterday morning, a gang of about 10 heavily armed thugs stormed the Bridge City Shopping Centre in KwaMashu.
Daily Sun reported that they first took packs of cigarettes, and then set explosives at an ATM, hoping to cash in big time.
But alert security and the police dashed their dreams.
One thug was left dead, another injured, and two are behind bars.
Shoppers, pension collectors and the shopping centre staff stood outside the centre for almost eight hours waiting for it to reopen.
The robbers, who drove in two Toyota Fortuners, broke into the centre before dawn through a back door.
Lieutenant Nqobile Gwala said the suspects first took packs of cigarettes and loaded them in a duvet cover.
"They proceeded to another shop where they planted explosives at an ATM and a safe.
"The alarm went off and the police were contacted. No money was taken," said Gwala.
She said when cops were at the corner of Bhejane and Nogwaja road, suspects in a white vehicle started to fire shots at them.
"Three members sustained injuries and were taken to hospital.
"Two vehicles that were hijacked during the robbery were later recovered in Inanda at Newtown C."
Cops following a tip-off then bust four of the suspects at a local clinic where one had tried to get treatment for gunshot wounds.
"He is under police guard in hospital while the other three were taken to KwaMashu Police Station.
"At the police station, one of the men attempted to disarm a police officer and a scuffle ensued, resulting in one of the suspects being fatally wounded," said Gwala.
She said charges of attempted murder, malicious damage to property, business robbery and attempted robbery were opened for further investigation.
"All the suspects are in their 30s and are expected to appear in court soon," said Gwala.
Daily Sun reported that they first took packs of cigarettes, and then set explosives at an ATM, hoping to cash in big time.
But alert security and the police dashed their dreams.
One thug was left dead, another injured, and two are behind bars.
Shoppers, pension collectors and the shopping centre staff stood outside the centre for almost eight hours waiting for it to reopen.
The robbers, who drove in two Toyota Fortuners, broke into the centre before dawn through a back door.
Lieutenant Nqobile Gwala said the suspects first took packs of cigarettes and loaded them in a duvet cover.
"They proceeded to another shop where they planted explosives at an ATM and a safe.
She said when cops were at the corner of Bhejane and Nogwaja road, suspects in a white vehicle started to fire shots at them.
"Three members sustained injuries and were taken to hospital.
"Two vehicles that were hijacked during the robbery were later recovered in Inanda at Newtown C."
Cops following a tip-off then bust four of the suspects at a local clinic where one had tried to get treatment for gunshot wounds.
"He is under police guard in hospital while the other three were taken to KwaMashu Police Station.
"At the police station, one of the men attempted to disarm a police officer and a scuffle ensued, resulting in one of the suspects being fatally wounded," said Gwala.
She said charges of attempted murder, malicious damage to property, business robbery and attempted robbery were opened for further investigation.
"All the suspects are in their 30s and are expected to appear in court soon," said Gwala.
Source - Daily Sun
