Restaurant robbers held
2003-10-22 19:11
Johannesburg - Eleven men arrested after they robbed two restaurants in Johannesburg on Sunday remained in custody pending an identity parade, police said on Wednesday.
Investigating officer Inspector Alida van Zyl said an identity parade would be held to which witnesses to the robberies would be invited.
The eleven would remain in custody while further investigations were undertaken to establish whether they were involved with other crimes in the area, Van Zyl said.
Anyone who could help police was asked to contact Inspector van Zyl or Inspector Kirsten at the Parkview police station on 011-486-5012.
No date had yet been set for the men's court appearance.
In the first attack a gang of five men armed with handguns held up staff and patrons at a Spur steak ranch on Beyers Naude Drive just after 18:00.
The same gang then apparently held up Fratelli's pizzeria at the corner of Jan Smuts and Conrad drives soon afterwards.
There they were spotted by a motorist who called the police's 10111 hotline.
Police patrols were immediately alerted and a white Nissan Sentra and a Ford Meteor were intercepted by the Johannesburg flying squad, Sandton police and the dog unit at the corner of Rivonia and Grayston roads in Sandton.
Eight firearms were confiscated and a number of handbags and cellphones thought to have been taken from one or both restaurants were recovered, as well as cash.
The Nissan had been stolen in the city earlier in the month and was also thought to be linked to a murder as well as a robbery in Sandringham.
- SAPA