2 die in mall-robbery chase

2008-07-03 17:55

Verashni Pillay

Potchefstroom - Two jewellery robbers were shot dead and one seriously injured in a dramatic police chase and shoot-out early on Thursday in Potchefstroom.

Five armed men overpowered security guards at Mooirivier shopping mall in Potchefstroom about 02:00, police spokesperson Pieter du Plessis told News24.

One man stayed with the guards while the rest made their way to a jewellery shop.

After smashing the display glass with a hammer, they took the jewellery there as well as an undisclosed amount inside the store.

Contract workers in a different part of the mall called police who arrived just as the men were leaving.

"They started to fire at the police who retaliated, but the robbers fled in two vehicles," said Du Plessis.

No police were hurt, but two of their vehicles were damaged by the bullets.

Chased vehicle overturned

Two drivers were waiting outside and the men drove away in different directions.

Police chased a Volvo station wagon containing four of the men.

The driver lost control and the vehicle overturned. The four men got out and began shooting at police who returned fire.

Two men were killed, one was wounded and one injured man fled.

Police recovered what they suspected was most of the jewellery in the car.

Escaped in bakkie

"We are still waiting for the owner to conduct an inventory on his shop and to compare with our lists to see what is missing," said Du Plessis.

The car was seized as well as a 9mm pistol and an R-5 rifle.

The wounded man was arrested and admitted to hospital. He is being held in custody.

The rest of the gang escaped in a bakkie and police are continuing their investigations.

- News24