GEORGE NEWS - Thembalethu police detectives urged the community of Thembalethu to assist with information and the tracing of wanted robbers, following a business robbery in the early hours on Monday morning, 31 January, at a fuel station in Thembalethu.
Preliminary information reveals that a group of three armed suspects whose faces were covered with masks, accosted the business at about 02:15 and threatened the assistants at the business to cooperate.
They first instructed the petrol attendant to fill the Toyota Hilux with R500 fuel, then went into the garage shop on the premises, forced staff to lie face-down on the floor and attempted to open the drop-in safe. However, they did not succeed.
Public Order Police (Pops) responded rapidly to the scene and heavy gunfire erupted between the police members and the assailants.
The suspects took a small amount of cash and fled the scene in a white Toyota Hilux bakkie which was later found abandoned in Schaap Street, near the crime scene that is situated in Ngcakani Street in Thembalethu. The suspects managed to flee on foot.
Further investigation revealed that the bakkie was hi-jacked in Silver Town, Thembalethu earlier that night. The bakkie has been taken in for further forensic examination.
A blood trail found on the scene suggests that at least one of the suspects could have been hit during the exchange of fire. However, this cannot be confirmed as all leads are being followed up by the investigation officer. No arrests have yet been made.
The police appeal to anyone with information that can lead to the tracing, arrest and subsequent prosecution of suspects to contact the investigation officer, Sgt Thembelani Kima at the Thembalethu Detectives, on 044 802 8950 / 079 894 1576 or Crime Stop on 08600 1011. All information will be dealt with in a confidential manner.
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