All-night manhunt ends with capture of three after robbery

Three men accused of stabbing a Uitenhage shop owner in the chest during a robbery were arrested yesterday morning following a manhunt.

Within 12 hours, detectives had tracked down and arrested all three men alleged to be behind the attack.

Police spokeswoman Captain Gerda Swart said the robbery took place at the Brothers spaza shop in Lower Drostdy Street, Uitenhage.

“Three men, one with a firearm and two with knives, entered the shop at 5.20pm on Wednesday,” she said.

“In a scuffle, the owner was stabbed in the chest. All three men fled.”

It was later found that a toy gun was used during the robbery. Swart said the commotion drew the attention of nearby residents, who saw the three men running away.

“The area was cordoned off and searched, and one man was arrested.”

Uitenhage detectives worked through the night and arrested the other two men at different hideouts, Swart said.

“All the men arrested are aged between 18 and 21.”

Swart said the shop owner, who she refused to name, was admitted to hospital but discharged later that night.

The three men are due to appear in the Uitenhage Magistrate’s Court on Monday on a series of charges.