Suspects arrested minutes after robbery

FIVE suspects – one of whom was shot in the leg – were arrested just 10 minutes after a robbery at a spaza shop in Bethelsdorp.

The robbers, between the ages of 22 and 27, were intercepted by police while speeding in Marrock Road, Bethelsdorp, shortly after the robbery on Wednesday.

Police spokeswoman Colonel Priscilla Naidu said members from a tactical response team attached to the gang clampdown campaign arrested the men.

“At about 8pm, a 31-year-old was robbed of cash, cellphones and cigarettes by armed men who allegedly pointed a firearm at him outside his shop,” she said.

The details of the vehicle, a Ford Fiesta, were immediately circulated to police deployed in that area for the clampdown.

“Within minutes of the robbery, the vehicle was spotted in Booi Street in Zwide,” Naidu said.

When police blocked its getaway, “one of the suspects exited the car and pointed a firearm at police officials, prompting them to retaliate”.

Naidu said the man was shot in his thigh before he could open fire.

All five suspects were arrested and two suspected stolen firearms, with 22 rounds of ammunition, were seized. Some of the stolen goods were recovered.

The men are due to appear in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court on Monday.