Robbers flee with cash after shootout at EL filling station
A businessman and armed robbers got into a gunfight at an East London petrol station on Monday.
Sources said the businessman fired five shots and the robbers at least three during the shootout at the Sasol station, off the N6 highway, in Abbotsford. No one was hit. Despite being fired at, sources said the criminals made off with an undisclosed sum of money.
Red Alert guards and the police rushed to the garage.
Traffic was diverted after the road was cordoned off as part of the crime scene for police investigations.
Red Alert spokesperson Brett Harvey said their armoured control centre received panic activations from the garage shortly after 11am.
“Our armed response team was dispatched and on arrival took over the scene with the police.
“While investigating it was found that a motorist who owns a business in East London was refuelling at the time of the robbery.
“Four men were reported to be involved, one in a vehicle and three who approached and surrounded the businessman.”
Harvey said cash was stolen from the businessman’s vehicle, after which both parties opened fire on each other.
“Luckily there were no injuries,” he said.
A case has been opened and the police are investigating.
When the Daily Dispatch arrived at the garage, police officers were still busy and staff members were standing outside.
One garage employee said they were all sitting near the ATMS when they heard loud bangs.
At first they thought the noise
Four suspects were reported to be involved, one in a vehicle and three who approached and surrounded the businessman
I didn’t realise my car had been shot at ... I just remember running for my life
was caused by a car, but when the sounds carried on they realised it must be a robbery.
“I was not close but I was sitting outside,” he said.
“After the first two shots, we realised what was going on and ran off.”
He said about eight to 10 gunshots were fired.
“I am not too sure if they took money or not, but I think they wanted money.”
A customer, traumatised after her car was shot at, said everything happened fast.
When the first shots were fired she ran to the bathroom to call the police “just to save my life”.
“I didn’t realise my car had been shot at ... I didn’t see their number. I just remember running for my life.
“It was traumatic.”
A staff member who opted to remain anonymous said the thugs had robbed a customer, not the garage.
It seemed likely that the gang had followed the businessman from the East London CBD.
“The shootout between the gangsters and the victim ensued while he was filling his car at the garage.”
Provincial police spokesperson Brig Tembinkosi Kinana had not responded to the Dispatch’s questions by print deadline on Monday.