Robbers grab guard’s gun after heist

A security guard was robbed of his firearm shortly after arriving at the scene of an armed robbery at Commercial Foods in Sidwell on Wednesday night.

Police said the Atlas Security armed response guard was ambushed as he left the vehicle.

Police spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg said the guard was responding to a panic alarm at the Commercial Road shop when two robbers ambushed him outside at about 6.20pm.

“Two men had entered the store asking to buy a big packet of toilet paper. The cashier opened the security gate to hand the bag of toilet paper over from the back counter section.

“As the gate opened, the two men drew firearms and held the cashier and two other store workers at gunpoint,” she said.

“As [the armed response guard] pulled up at the entrance, two other men who had been waiting outside held him at gunpoint.”

Janse van Rensburg said the man was then forced into the store.

“The guard’s firearm was stolen as well as his vehicle keys and radio,” she said.

“The four men then ransacked the store and stole money as well as cellphones.” The robbers fled on foot. While the area was being canvassed, Janse van Rensburg said, the stolen Atlas Security hand radio was found lying on a pavement in a nearby side street.

‘‘The guard’s firearm was stolen as well as his vehicle keys and radio’ Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg

POLICE SPOKESPERSON