Cops wounded in mall shootout
2005-04-24 14:46
Johannesburg - Two policemen were wounded and a robber killed in a shootout at Princess Crossing shopping centre in Roodepoort on Sunday, West Rand police said.
Inspector Yolande Bouwer said police arrested an accomplice.
She said three policemen were called to the Pick 'n Pay at the centre after it was reported that a group of men was stealing money from the shop about 09:30.
Police arrived at the scene and surprised between five and eight robbers. A shootout ensued and one of the robbers died on the scene after being shot in the chest. A second suspect was arrested.
One policeman sustained a flesh wound to the face and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. His colleague was shot in the head and airlifted to Milpark hospital in a critical condition.
Bouwer said a woman shopper injured her knee after she ran and fell.
She was also taken to hospital for treatment.
She said the group dropped most of the money at the shop's front door before fleeing in a Toyota Conquest and a Toyota Cressida.
Police seized a 9mm pistol with the serial numbers filed off.
- SAPA