Cape Town – A 35-year-old robbery suspect is under police guard in a Western Cape hospital after he fell out of his getaway car and was shot in the arm by a security guard, police said on Wednesday.
Western Cape police spokesperson FC Van Wyk detailed the incident which happened on Wednesday morning at a local store in West Beach, Cape Town.
“Two police members stationed at the [South African Police Service] Faure Training Facility were busy filling their SAPS vehicle at a petrol station on the corners of Cabin and Warwick Road West Beach near a retail shop at a shopping Centre in Parklands, Table View, when they were alerted [to] a robbery at shop in the area,” said Van Wyk.
According to information received, a security officer had stopped at the shop for some morning coffee.
“Five unidentified armed men entered the store and took the security officer’s pistol, hand radio, and car keys,” said Van Wyk.
“During this time, the manager managed to inform the two police officers [about] what was transpiring at his shop. The members immediately responded and alerted Table View SAPS.”
On seeing the police, the five suspects fled the store, exiting through the back, and jumped into the getaway vehicle.
However, the apprehended suspect fell to the ground from the moving vehicle a short distance from the store.
The suspect then tried to flee on foot but was spotted by a security company employee.
The suspect then pointed a firearm at the security officer but the officer responded and wounded the suspect in the arm.
“It was later established that the firearm the suspect had was stolen from the security officer at the shop,” said Van Wyk.
Table View SAPS then arrived at the scene and arrested the suspect.
“He received medical attention from paramedics at the scene [after which] he was transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment,” said Van Wyk.
“He is currently under police guard in hospital.”
However, the other four suspects remained on the run and police requested any information on the incident to be shared with investigating officer Sergeant Winston Blake on 021 521 3300 or the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111.
African News Agency
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