Robbery creates traffic mayhem

HUNT FOR TWO WHO HELD UP CITY STORE Streets in Cape Town cordoned off amid fears of hostage drama.

Police are searching for two armed suspects who held up a secondhand store in the Cape Town CBD that led to a shutdown of a large part of the city centre amid fears of a hostage situation.

Police spokesperson Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana said: “Police are investigating circumstances surrounding a business robbery.

“Two suspects entered the premises, threatened employees with a firearm and a knife and ordered them to go to the back of the store,” Rwexana said. “The suspects fled the scene with a cellphone. No injuries were reported.”

Police task force members had earlier entered the Cash Crusaders store on Strand Street where an apparent hostage situation had developed.

They left a short while later as it appeared that the armed robbers had already fled.

Police crime scene experts were seen entering shortly after the task force members left and police at the scene confirmed no arrests had been made inside the store.

Firefighters later entered as smoke could be seen inside the store, but it was unclear what caused it.

There was a heavy police presence as Strand Street, between Loop and Long streets, was cordoned off, bringing lunchtime traffic to a standstill.

Hundreds of people had gathered to watch from behind police tape.

Several city security personnel and members of other emergency services were also on standby.

A woman, who did not want to be identified, said she was buying a plane ticket at a nearby airline company office when “we just saw people and police and guns”.

“The police escorted us out,” the woman said. – ANA

Sgt Noloyiso Rwexana Police spokesperson