Police track down alleged robber hiding in a ditch
Johannesburg police arrested a man on Monday in connection with an armed robbery at a Pick ‘n Pay supermarket in Mulbarton over the weekend.
Police spokesperson Captain Julia Claasen said the man was found in a ditch where he had been hiding since the robbery on Sunday evening.
“Police went back to the vicinity of the crime scene [on Monday] and followed blood trails which led to a nearby field.
“They arrested the wounded suspect in his thirties.
The culprit had a gunshot wound to his knee.
Claasen said a group of armed men went into the supermarket on Sunday at about 6.40pm and stole an undisclosed amount of cash, including customers’ personal belongings.
“They then hijacked a bakkie and a Toyota Tazz outside the shop and used them as their getaway cars.”
Police spotted the cars in Columbine Road opposite the South Gate Mall and a shoot-out between the police and the robbers ensued.
“One of the suspects was shot and died at the scene. His 26-year-old accomplice was arrested.
“Some robbers jumped into a green BMW with no registration numbers while others fled on foot leaving both cars behind,” said Claasen.
She said police recovered two AK-47 rifles, one 9mm pistol, an undisclosed amount of cash and other stolen items. - Sapa
