HERO Stellenbosch cops arrested five armed suspected robbers after a shootout at a shopping mall.
The drama unfolded on Sunday at a chain retailer in Newinbosch Square, Stellenbosch.
Cops say the complainant had been in the manager’s office when he was informed of suspicious persons inside the shop at around 7.45pm.
After asking the suspects if they needed any help, he was grabbed by an unknown man who took him to the cash office.
Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk explained that while the suspect was in the cash office, the complainant noticed a black bag that the suspect was carrying and tried to get the attention of the manager.
Van Wyk said that at that very moment, cops arrived on the scene.
He wysed: “At the same time, a police officer entered the shop, and the male then immediately ran out of the shop.
“The complainant informed the police officer what transpired, and the police officer followed the suspect out of the shop.”
With cops hot on their heels, a shooting broke out between the police and the suspects.
As the skote klapped, a few of the suspects fled the crime scene in a white Ford and a silver VW Polo sedan.
Van Wyk added: “One of the getaway vehicles drove into a member, injuring him in the process. He received medical attention at the scene.”
Van Wyk added that four suspects were arrested inside the shop.
Later, information was received about another suspect who had been taken to a nearby hospital with a gunshot wound to the body. He was arrested at the hospital and is currently under police guard.
He said two police vehicles were damaged. One getaway vehicle was recovered in Kayamandi with visible bloodstains on it.
Van Wyk said that the men are facing charges of attempted murder, attack on police and attempted business robbery.
He added: “They are due to appear in the Stellenbosch Magistrate’s Court once charged.”
One 9mm Beretta with 15 rounds of ammunition and an imitation firearm were recovered inside the shop. This vehicle and firearms were handed in as exhibits and for further processing.