A gang of armed business robbery suspects clad in masks and balaclavas are being sought after they held up staff at a liquor distributor on Aberdare Drive and fled with an exorbitant amount of cash and cases of liquor while their attempt to blow up two safes with explosives, failed, on Sunday afternoon.
Captain Louise Naidoo said Phoenix SAPS is investigating the case of business robbery. She said it is alleged by the complainant, a manager at the business premises, that an unknown man entered, wearing a face mask and brandishing a hand gun.
“The man demanded to know where the panic button was. At this point another man entered wielding a firearm. The complainant was then pushed into the adjoining cash office where their were two more employees. The suspects allegedly made the store employees lie on the floor and demanded cash and the safe keys. The complainant indicated that they did not have any safe keys. The offices were searched and approximately R197 000 cash was found and taken,” said Naidoo.
She said the complainant and staff were then taken to another part of the premises, where the remaining employees and customers were held at gunpoint by other members of the gang. “The suspects demanded all the victims’ cellphones and kept it on a pallet. After a while, the suspects fled. They did not take any cellphones with them. The complainant also discovered that the suspects had attempted to blow up the two safes in the office which contained money but had failed. Five boxes of liquor were also taken valued at R20 000,” added Naidoo.
According to police, the vehicle used by the suspects is being traced and the explosive unit seized the explosive material for evidence. One suspect was reported to have been armed with a rifle.
Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa) also responded to the scene. Rusa head, Prem Balram said Reaction Officers were informed that the suspects drove onto the premises in a white Ford Ranger double cab bakkie with an unknown registration and held up employees.
“Six suspects armed with high calibre weapons remained in the yard and at the entrance of the driveway while their accomplices confronted staff in the cash office. The suspects stole a large, undisclosed amount of cash before they attempted to blow up a safe with explosives. The robbers fled after the explosives failed to detonate. No injuries were reported,” Balram added.
Naidoo said investigations are ongoing.
