Cop shot in Mayfair robbery
2008-01-16 14:02
Johannesburg - A policeman was shot and wounded during a robbery in Mayfair in central Johannesburg on Wednesday, police said.
Captain Bhekisizwe Mavundla said eight armed men stormed into a shop at the corner of Church and Industrial at 09:00.
They held staff and customers at gunpoint before they took an undisclosed amount of money. They also robbed staff and customers of their cellphones.
Police rushed to the scene, and a shootout ensued with the robbers.
"A policeman was hit in the upper body and was taken to hospital in stable condition."
Two of the robbers, aged between 31 and 39, were arrested shortly afterwards. Three guns and seven cellphones were recovered and the Toyota Corolla they were travelling in was confiscated.
A search has been launched for the others on the run.
"The police air wing unit has been called to assist in the manhunt," said Mavundla.
The two arrested men were expected to appear in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court within 48 hours on a charge of armed robbery, he said.
- SAPA