GEORGE NEWS - Four suspects were arrested after robbing an Ethiopian spaza shop in Syferfontein, Pacaltsdorp, on Sunday 7 February at approximately 16:50.
According to Southern Cape police spokesperson, Capt Malcolm Pojie, the suspects allegedly visited the shop and purchased different amounts of prepaid airtime when one of them suddenly pulled out a firearm and threatened the owner.
"They demanded cash and more airtime. They also took the CCTV camera equipment and other small items before fleeing the scene on foot," he said.
"The owner alerted the community who chased three of the suspects down the street into a field. During the chase the suspect with the firearm allegedly fired a shot at the community members. Fortunately no one was injured."
According to other eyewitnesses the other suspects fled in a silver Land Rover.
In the meantime Pacaltsdorp police, members of the Southern Cape public order police unit (Pops), the George and Conville crime prevention units and members of the Outeniqua K-9 unit were dispatched to the situation.
"They apprehended three of the suspects in a nearby field and confiscated some of the stolen items as well as a firearm and ammunition," said Pojie.
A fourth suspect was arrested after police found the Land Rover that was used in the business robbery, at a house in Zone 6, Thembalethu.
The four suspects, all in their 20s, now face charges of business robbery and the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. They were scheduled to make their first appearance in the George Magistrate's Court yesterdy, Wednesday 10 February.
At the time of going to print no details surrounding their court appearance were available.
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