MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Three business robberies in less than a week, in which spaza shops in KwaNonqaba were targeted, have led police to believe the same suspects might be responsible for all three crimes.
The first incident took place on Sunday, 17 November at 20:20 in Stofile Street. According to the police, two suspects approached a shop, with one remaining at the entrance and the other entering to buy cigarettes. As the shop owner bent down to produce the cigarettes, the suspect pulled out a firearm and cocked it. The shop owner narrowly escaped being shot, as he fled into an adjacent room and slammed the door shut, into which the bullets were fired. The suspects took off with an undisclosed amount of cash.
Police report that they were still at the scene of the crime approximately 45 minutes later, when another business robbery was reported close by in Sijaji Street. Here, three suspects robbed a spaza shop of cash. One of the suspects produced a firearm and ordered shoppers, among them several children, to lie down on the floor. The robbers then fled with their loot.
On Tuesday, 19 November at 20:10, four suspects robbed a spaza shop in Nyibia Street, KwaNonqaba. According to the police, two of the suspects produced firearms - a pistol and a revolver.
They allegedly held the shop owner at gun point and ordered others in the shop to lie down. It is reported there were several children among the victims traumatised during the robbery. The suspects fled from the scene in a white Toyota Avanza with yellow registration plates.
No injuries were reported in any of the incidents. It is reported that all the businesses targeted belong to foreign nationals.
No arrests have been made to date.
The spokesperson of the KwaNonqaba Police, Sgt Kappie Kapp, said that meetings were held with shop owners, during which suggestions were made regarding amending their business hours.
This, during the meetings, was pointed out as a possible preventative measure with regards to crime such as armed robbery. "We also would like to recommend that shop owners be mindful of their safety by looking at security at the business premises. Make use of proper lighting around your shop and keep security gates locked."
Anyone with information is requested to urgently contact the investigating officer, Sgt Deuster (079 893 9931).
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