GEORGE NEWS - Police are still searching for three assailants after a shoot-out with police during a business robbery in Thembalethu on Monday morning, 31 January.
According to Southern Cape police spokesperson, Capt Malcolm Pojie, the trio of armed suspects accosted the fuel station at the entrance of Thembalethu at approximately 02:15 that morning.
"Their faces were covered with masks and they threatened the staff to cooperate. The petrol attendant was forced to fill the vehicle they were traveling in, a Toyota Hilux, with R500 fuel, whereafter they went to the shop on the premises and forced employees to lie face-down on the floor. They failed in an attempt to open the drop-safe," Pojie said.
Heavy gunfire erupted when members of the Public Order Police (Pops) responded to the scene.
"The suspects fled the scene with a small amount of cash in the bakkie which was later found abandoned in Schaap Street, not far from the crime scene. The suspects managed to further flee on foot. Further investigation revealed that the bakkie was hijacked in Silver Town in Thembalethu earlier that night," said Pojie.
A trail of blood found on the scene could mean that at least one of the suspects was hit during the exchange of fire. This however could not be confirmed yet.
No arrests have yet been made.
Anyone with information that can lead to the tracing, arrest and subsequent prosecution of suspects are asked to contact the investigation officer, Thembalethu detective Sgt Thembelani Kima, on 044 802 8950 / 079 894 1576 or Crime Stop on 08600 1011.
All information will be dealt with in a confidential manner.
'We bring you the latest George, Garden Route news'
