Cape Town - Five armed robbers posing as customers stormed the Spur in Tyger Valley Centre on Sunday night, then escaped in a hijacked car amid two separate shootouts and a police chase.
Surveillance footage showed the group entering the premises at 9.30pm, first approaching Panarotti’s. After being told the restaurant had closed for the evening, they made their way upstairs to Spur.
Police spokesman Captain FC van Wyk said two of the men posed as customers and took seats in the restaurant.
“When they were seated, three more armed men entered the premises and they robbed the clients and staff of an undisclosed amount of cash, cellphones, handbags and a tablet computer. No shots were fired during this incident and no one was injured on the scene.”
Tyger Valley Centre spokeswoman Laretha Blom said the robbers fired a shot at security as they fled the mall.
“The security guards gave chase and a shootout in the parking area followed. The assailants shot at the security guards. They got away at 9.41pm.”
Van Wyk said the suspects fled in a silver Golf 6. About an hour later the vehicle was spotted in Nyanga. “The suspects tried to evade the police and they shot at the police officers and a chase ensued.”
Cops raced after the robbers from Nyanga to the corner of New Eisleben and Klipfontein roads, where the thieves abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot.
“Some of the stolen items and cash was recovered,” Van Wyk said. “The Golf was hijacked in Mitchells Plain on Friday.”
Police are investigating a business robbery, attempted murder and hijacking cases and request anyone with information to contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111.
Spur chief executive Pierre van Tonder could not be reached for comment on Monday night.
Cape Argus