Port Elizabeth - Two alleged armed robbers were arrested soon after a takeaway outlet was robbed in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape police said on Sunday.
"Minutes after a business robbery took place at a fast food outlet at Hunter’s Retreat in Kabega Park, members of the tactical response team (TRT) spotted the speeding vehicle on the Missionvale/Uitenhage road," police said in a statement.
Three men, two armed with firearms, entered the burger and pizza outlet at about 8.30pm on Friday night and held the staff at gunpoint. A customer was also robbed of his wallet. The customers were "chased out" of the shop and the men emptied the tills and safe. An undisclosed amount of money was taken.
The suspects fled in a waiting getaway car, a red VW Polo. Immediately after the alert was sent out via radio channels, the TRT members spotted the car. A chase ensued and the men fired at police, who returned fire. The suspects lost control of the car and crashed. A 28-year-old man was arrested in the car and two firearms, both 7.65 pistols, were seized.
Another man, aged 35, was arrested by Bethelsdorp police station officers soon after three men fled into the bushes. Two suspects were still at large. The stolen money and the customer's wallet were also recovered from the car.
The 35-year-old man would be charged with business robbery and the 28-year-old with illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, as well as possession of suspected stolen property. They were from Kwadwesi in Port Elizabeth and would appear in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate's Court on Monday.