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Robbers follow victims to cops
06/10/2006 08:04 - (SA)
Tisha Steyn, Die Burger
George - Three robbers with long knives came up against staff from Die Burger on Thursday, before actually handing themselves over to the police.
According to marketing manager Morne Nel, 33, "three men with knives robbed one of the newspaper vendors of his bicycle and cash at about 14:00".
Nel said he and robbery victim Awie Malgas, 20, along with witnesses Leon Fielies, 30, and Richman Smit, 38, jumped into a bakkie and rushed to the scene of the robbery about 100m from their offices in Market Street.
"I immediately called the police on 10111 and informed them about the robbery.
Wild chase
"In Cradock Street we saw the three throw aside the bicycle. They then hopped into a taxi carrying big plastic bags containing the vendors' newspaper money.
"Meanwhile I had provided the police with the registration numbers of the bakkie and the taxi, but it was in vain. They never even turned up.
"We pursued the taxi and it turned into a wild chase down Albert Street.
Robbers attacked them
"Things got worse when the three suspects jumped out of the taxi at a set of traffic lights in Sandkraal Road and stormed at us brandishing those knives.
"They tried to get to the vendor next to me and the guys in the back of the bakkie.
"They forced open the back of the canopy and the fearful vendors fought back."
There was still no sign of the police said Nel, who started working in George on Monday.
Followed into police station
"Fortunately I saw the Conville police station around the corner and raced through the gates.
"The three with the knives of about 30cm long followed us at a fast pace."
According to Nel, the police members standing outside the police station did nothing but gape.
"I thought we would be safe inside the police station, but the suspects followed us inside! We stormed into the charge office and I shouted for help.
Vendors, robbers attacked each other
"Chaos erupted inside when the three suspects and the vendors attacked each other. I tried to keep them apart.
"Suddenly about 12 police members stepped in and overpowered the suspects. They wanted to use tear gas, but fortunately managed without it to overpower the three and arrest them."
Nel said charges of theft and attempted assault were laid. The money was not recovered. The three suspects were being held at Conville and were expected to appear in court on Friday.
- Die Burger
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