A 19-year-old male (pictured in the white t-shirt) and his 23-year-old accomplice were arrested following a robbery at a clothing store in Adams Mall on Wick Street, Verulam.
Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) received a call from an employee of the store at approximately 12:29 today (Saturday) reporting an armed robbery in progress. The caller stated that he was in an office and could see at least one armed suspect robbing the cashiers.
Reaction Officers were dispatched to the scene and entered the mall on foot. Two suspects were seen exiting the store. They fled on foot in the direction of the Verulam taxi rank on Ireland Street. Officers pursued the suspects who spilt up and fled in different directions.
One suspect was apprehended while his accomplice who was in possession of the firearm, cash and cellphones that were stolen from the store managed to evade arrest.
A third suspect was apprehended by a private security officer with assistance from the public after he fled to an upper level of the mall. He was severely assaulted by onlookers.
The teenager informed Reaction Officers during an interview that he was from Folweni in the south of Durban. He also stated that they were first-time robbers and not familiar with the area. The two were found in possession of Okapi pocket knives.
Employees of the store positively identified the two suspects and stated that the 19-year-old asked them to start praying during the robbery.
The two men were handed over to Police and are currently detained at the Verulam SAPS.
19-Year-Old Business Robber Arrested: Verulam – KZN https://t.co/eyyuDj9URe #ArriveAlive #Crime pic.twitter.com/CU1wGhONbP
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) December 12, 2020