CLOTHING WORTH HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS RECOVERED AFTER ROBBERY AT BAYWEST MALL

BY MALUNGELO BOOI AND NKOSAZANA FIKILE

Three business robbery suspects were arrested and stolen property worth hundreds of thousands recovered after a robbery at Baywest Mall this morning, October 2.

At approximately 11:00, two suspects entered a clothing store at the mall allegedly pretending to be customers. As the complainant went to the back of the store to fetch a pair of takkies for the ‘customer,’ he was followed by a suspect who pulled out a firearm. Four more suspects allegedly entered the shop with firearms, then demanded the keys to the shop and safe. Three of the employees were taken to the back of the shop while the suspects ransacked the shop. The stolen clothing was shoved into a duvet cover and dragged out of the shop as they fled.

According to police spokesperson, Capt. Sandra Janse van Rensburg, an observant and alert police official that was on duty at the mall spotted the fleeing suspects dragging the stuffed duvet and immediately alerted his colleagues at the 10111 centre.

“The suspects fled in a silver VW Polo and silver Kia. The vehicles were circulated and immediately police officers from surrounding stations and units were on the hunt for the vehicles,” she said.

SAPS Kabega Park was first to spot the vehicles but lost them as they sped on the N2 towards New Brighton. Back-up vehicles were in close proximity and SAPS Mount Road and Gqeberha K9 were informed that a silver VW Polo was abandoned on the N2 freeway on-ramp towards Cotswold,” she added. Janse van Rensburg explained that residents in the area directed members towards Hammerkop Street in Cotswold Extension. One suspect jumped the fence into a yard and was arrested. Two more suspects hiding in the bushes were flushed and apprehended by their four-legged K9 officer, Diesel.

“No firearm was recovered, however, various items of the stolen clothing were recovered in the boot of the car. The estimated value of the stolen property is R200 000. The VW Polo was impounded for further investigation.”

The three suspects, aged between 25 and 35 years, were detained on charges of business robbery and will appear in the Gqeberha Magistrates Court during the week.