Two arrested after shooting at Greenacres

Two suspects were arrested following an armed robbery at Fishers Jewellery Store in the Greenacres Shopping Centre, Port Elizabeth this morning (05/03/15).  The arrests were made shortly after 3pm this afternoon when the suspects returned to the shopping centre.

Earlier on Thursday, a police officer partly foiled the robbery. It is alledged that seven suspects approached the store posing as part of a team of workers doing renovations to an adjacent store. According to police some of them attempted to crash the windows of the jewellery store with heavy duty hammers whilst others went inside and held-up employees at gunpoint.

"An alert police officer on duty at the centre heard the commotion and immediately responded. As he approached the scene the suspects started firing shots at him," police said in a statement.

The SAPS member returned fire  and was hit by a bullet in the lower left leg. He however managed to continue firing and one of the suspects was shot  in the leg. He is currently under police guard in a local hospital.

The remaining suspects fled in a silver Toyota Venture which was later recoverd in Mangold Street, Newton Park.  Police also recovered a bag with jewellery and a 9mm firearm from the scene in the shopping centre.

We're following up on various unconfirmed reports of robbery at . Picture sent by Steven Mitchley.

— The Herald PE (@HeraldPE)

It was later established that the getaway vehicle was stolen the day before in Sydenham, Port Elizabeth. Several blood stains were also found in the vehicle which is a possible indication that more of the suspects have been shot by the police member. All hospitals have been put on alert with regard to this.

“The actions of the police member who responded are highly commendable as three of the suspects were armed. The fact that we have been conducting response exercises relating to these types of crimes assisted greatly today as all role players were ready and able to respond swiftly and effectively,” said the Cluster Commander Road, Maj Gen Dawie Rabie.