Police have arrested two suspects shortly after a jewellery store was robbed at the Chatsworth Centre on Friday afternoon, 2 August.
Provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda said that information at this stage indicates that an unknown number of heavily armed suspects stormed into the jewellery store and fired shots, one of which ricocheted and injured an unsuspecting civilian on the face.
“Police responded and a shootout ensued during a chase. One Metro Police officer was shot and injured on the leg. Relentless police officers pursued the suspects and two of them were arrested in uMlazi. They were found in possession of two blood-stained getaway vehicles. A manhunt is underway for the other suspects who managed to escape. Investigations are ongoing to ascertain if the suspects are part of a group that robbed a jewellery store in Phoenix a week ago where a police officer was also shot and injured,” Netshiunda said.
Chatsworth Centre management confirmed that an armed robbery took place at a jewellery store at the centre on Friday, 2 August.
The statement posted on social media read: “As the safety of our tenants and shoppers are vital, the shopping centre was temporarily closed for trading on the day of the incident and resumed trade on Saturday, 3 August on instruction from the South African Police Services to allow them to thoroughly investigate. Following the increase in recent incidents in and around the community, we have deployed guards at entrance gates to assist with visibility and are pleased that following a chase, one vehicle has been caught and as such, we will continue to work and comply with SAPS and other local security service providers. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who assisted, especially the ambulance staff who came to help those who were distressed by the incident.”
Spokesperson for Amawele Emergency Services, Claud Subramodey, said: “Paramedics were called to Chatsworth Centre for an armed robbery. Paramedics arrived on scene to find total chaos and the centre was in a lockdown. Two patrons were treated on scene, one was discharged at the scene while the other was transported by another emergency service to hospital. Medics stood off for some time to assess if there were any other injuries in the mall, however there were none.”
