Five men and a woman were arrested after robbing a local Cash Crusaders store on Wednesday.
The robbery happened at the Commercial Road store in Sidwell at about 1pm.
The six suspects, three of whom were carrying firearms, entered the shop demanding the staff lie on the floor.
Initially, one of the suspects was arrested while fleeing out of the store however by 2pm police had nabbed the remaining five who had escaped during the robbery.
Police spokesman Warrant Officer Alwin Labans said the alarm was raised when a store owner at a neighbouring shop’s security guard saw the robbery happening and pressed his panic button.
“Six suspects entered the store and held one customer and six staff members at gunpoint. The suspects demanded everyone lie flat on the ground while they ransacked the store, stealing random items,” he said.
One of the suspects was caught while running out of the store after police were alerted. The remaining five suspects had fled in a getaway vehicle that was parked nearby.
“The one suspect was arrested and a loaded firearm found in his possession. On searching him, a stolen wallet which was taken during the robbery was found inside his pocket.”Within an hour of the robbery, police caught the remain five suspects, of which one was a female, near Nangoza Jebe Hall in New Brighton.
“Information was followed up and the suspects were caught in a Toyota Avanaza in New Brighton,” he said.
Asked about injuries, Labans said one of the occupants inside the store was hit over the head during the ordeal. “The staff were obviously in shock after the robbery but no serious injuries were sustained and no shots were fired,” he added.
Labans said that leads were being followed up and more arrests were expected. “Currently it is unknown what exactly was stolen but the store owner will do an inventory to determine the exact losses,” he said.
Store owner Frans Combrink was contacted but declined to provide comment on the incident.
The six suspects are due to appear in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court on Friday for the armed robbery.