Shootout at Hyde Park centre

2009-12-10 09:25

Johannesburg - A shootout ensued when a gang of 15 robbers armed with AK-47s broke into Hyde Park shopping centre, north of Johannesburg, on Thursday morning, Gauteng police said.

"Around 04:30, about 15 suspects broke the security door at the entrance and entered the shopping centre. They shot at security guards who shot back at them," said Inspector Moses Maphakela.

"The suspects, wearing balaclavas and gloves, managed to break into a shop and took clothing; at the moment we don't know how much the clothing is worth."

Maphakela said while some gang members were breaking into the shop, others were firing shots at the security guards.

"The police are searching for 15 suspects; these people are armed with AK-47s, R5s and pistols."

They sped off in a silver Mercedes Benz C200, of which the back windscreen was shot to pieces by security guards, a white Honda Ballade and a silver grey double-cab Ford Ranger.

Nobody was injured in the shootout.

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- SAPA