Nasty birthday present

2003-05-22 15:58

Bethlehem - A Frankfort businesswoman spent her 41th birthday in an unusual way, when instead of presents, she was held up by armed robbers at the family business in Frankfort, police reported on Thursday.

They said the Portuguese woman was busy in the shop, which is just one block from the local police station, when three armed men came in demanding money and cellphones. It was about 22:30. Another accomplice remained outside.

While two of the men held the woman and her husband at gunpoint, the third helped himself to cash from the till. The couple's 19-year-old daughter was nearby.

The mother was taken to a storeroom where one of the men helped himself to cigarettes. He left, but later returned. When he came back the woman managed to lock him inside the storeroom while she fled back to the shop.

The remaining intruders took fright and fled when an unsuspecting customer approached the shop. They apparently hid in the family's bakkie.

When the daughter went to the vehicle she was fired at, so she returned to the safety of the shop.

The men allegedly fired more shots when they realised their accomplice was still in the storeroom. Eventually they gave up and sped away.

Police were called and with the help of the dog unit managed to locate one of the intruders in the roof. He was arrested just after 01:00 and a second man was taken into custody three hours later.

According to police, R3 000 in cash, four cartons of cigarettes and a Nokia 5110 were stolen. They said used cartridges and live ammunition were found at the scene.

Two men aged 18 and 19 will appear in the Frankfort magistrate's court on Monday, May 26, when they will be charged with armed robbery and attempted murder.

- SAPA