Seven armed men robbed the Pick ‘n Pay Hypermarket at the Northgate Shopping Centre on Monday morning, West Rand police reported.
Superintendent Milica Bezuidenhout said a guard who was shot in the leg during the incident was admitted to a local hospital in a stable condition.
”The seven suspects armed with R5 rifles, AK47s and 9mm handguns overpowered and shot a security guard at the staff entrance before gaining entrance to the store at about 6am.”
The men held up 250 staff members at gunpoint for more than two hours. They packed all the stolen money into trolleys and took personal items from staffers before fleeing in a blue Volkswagen Kombi van.
The van was forced to a standstill by police and an exchange of gunfire took place.
”During the shoot-out two suspects were shot and injured. Seven were arrested,” Bezuidenhout said.
Police confiscated three AK47 rifles, two R5 rifles, two 9mm pistols and ammunition.
Bezuidenhout said an undisclosed amount of money was missing.
The men will appear in the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court soon. — Sapa