GEORGE NEWS - Businesses in the George CBD are on red alert following an armed business robbery during which a man was shot in broad daylight earlier this week.
A manhunt continues for the three armed suspects who targeted a financial services business in Mitchell Street on Monday 15 November, but no arrests have been made. The suspects made off with a huge amount of cash.
The shooting occurred shortly after 11:00 when two employees were ambushed by the perpetrators while it was business as usual for the rest of George.
Southern Cape police spokesperson, Capt Malcolm Pojie, says the two employees were attacked shortly after their return from withdrawing a large amount of money for the business.
"They were accosted by the assailants and threatened with a firearm. After forcefully taking the money from the rear seat of the vehicle, one of the suspects blatantly shot the 27-year-old employee before fleeing the scene in a silver-coloured sedan vehicle. The victim was taken to hospital via ambulance in a stable condition," said Pojie.
The victim has since been discharged.
Be vigilant
Pojie says the business fraternity must be vigilant at all times. "More so financial institutions such as short term and macro/cash loan businesses, especially with the upcoming festive season when businesses close for the holidays and bonus payouts are made. Opportune criminals and syndicates will be roaming our streets to cause havoc."
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the investigation officer, Sgt Siabonga Lutshete, on 044 803 4748 / 078 297 4573, or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
Shocked by attack
The chief operations officer of the targeted buisness, Dean Gilbert, said they are shocked by the incident, but glad to report that the employee has already been discharged from hospital. He said they have no idea who the assailants might be or why their business was targeted.
"Our employee was shot in the left buttock. He was admitted to hospital on Monday and was back home by Tuesday. He is doing well and there is no permanent damage. Fortunately it's only a flesh wound. We are so thankful that he has no serious injuries, he was very brave and we are proud of him." said Gilbert.
The business's name is known to George Herald, but on request by Gilbert and due to safety reasons of the company, the name is withheld.
Spate of robberies
In October this year, Krugerrands and jewellery worth thousands of rand were stolen during a break-in at a local jewellery store in York Street. According to unconfirmed information received by George Herald, access to the jewellery store was gained from the adjoining store by making a hole in the wall to reach the safe in which the items were stored. No arrests have been made.
In August George suffered a spate of armed robberies at homes and businesses in town.
On Tuesday evening, 10 August, a pub in the York Mall was robbed and on Friday 13 August, two families fell prey to armed robbers, while an intruder died after a scuffle with the occupant of a caravan on the same weekend.
The first home robbery occurred in the early morning hours of the unlucky Friday at a house in Blue Mountain Village Residential Estate.
It is believed that the victim and his family were accosted by no less than 10 men inside their home. One of the men had a firearm. They took an undisclosed amount of cash, cellphones and jewellery before they fled.
The other robbery that same weekend occurred in Dormehlsdrift. Five men forced a man and his two children into their house from their driveway and made off with two television sets, two cellphones and an undisclosed amount of money. They fled the scene with the victim's Toyota Fortuner. The vehicle was later found abandoned in Thembalethu.
Safeguards
Pojie says simple precautions can be put in place to prevent attack, threat of attack or robbery:
• Alter your routine.
• Do not carry large amounts of cash whilst in transit, rather use a company designed for that purpose.
• Preferably use a cash in transit company to deliver or collect large amounts of cash.
• Be aware of your surroundings at all time.
• Be vigilant and mindful of suspected individuals and vehicles. Report such whereabouts to local authorities immediately.
• Ensure that electronic devices such as CCTVs ares in working condition and that footage is of great quality to ensure identification of suspects and cars.
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