Prompt arrests follow hold-up at North End shop

THREE men, one armed with a toy gun and another with a crossbow, were arrested about 25 minutes after allegedly robbing a shop in North End.

The Brothers Corner Shop at the corner of Perkins and Cawood Streets was robbed at about 5pm on Sunday after one of the robbers pretended to be a customer.

Police spokeswoman Colonel Priscilla Naidu said two of the men stood at the doorway to the shop while a third entered and asked for a R5 airtime voucher.

“As the cashier handed him the change, the suspect pulled out a firearm and pointed it at him,” she said.

“The suspect demanded the cash from the till and the cashier’s cellphones.” The men then fled on foot. Naidu said the Operational Command Centre responded to the call for help.

“Members arrived on the scene and followed up on information received from witnesses,” she said.

“After following up on leads, two suspects were arrested hiding in an abandoned building in Middle Street.

“The two were found inside the toilet section.

“The third suspect was found in another abandoned room in Myrtle Street.”

The stolen cash and both cellphones were recovered.

“The firearm used in the robbery was found to be a toy gun,” Naidu said. A crossbow was also found.

She said they were trying to establish where the crossbow had been obtained.

Mount Road Cluster commander Major-General Funeka Siganga said detectives were attempting to determine if the trio were linked to other crimes in the area.

The three, aged 23, 24 and 28, will appear in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court today for armed robbery and possession of a dangerous weapon. – Gareth Wilson