Crime

One killed as gunmen raid jewellery store

Bedfordview – One suspect was shot dead after an attempted robbery at the Bedford Centre shopping mall, in Johannesburg on Sunday afternoon.

  Gauteng police have launched a manhunt after armed men stormed a jewellery store at the shopping centre. In an ensuing shootout with mall security, one suspect was killed.

  Community Policing Forum chairperson Gavin Henry said five men entered the shopping centre armed with AK47 rifles, and a security guard raised the alarm.

  “One of the entrance guards noticed them entering with their weapons and called in on the radio about an armed robbery. One of the tactical guys responded and they started shooting at him first. He returned fire and the armed men fled,” Henry said.

  Police spokesperson Brigadier Mathapelo Peters said the suspect who was shot was declared dead on the scene.

  “One security officer was rushed to hospital after he was allegedly hit by one of the suspects as the latter fled the scene,” she said. 

  Peters added that the suspects took some watches and made off in two vehicles.  

  “Police recovered an AK47 on the scene with two loaded magazines. The firearm will be subjected to ballistic testing for further investigation,” Peters said.

  In the video, which was posted on the Facebook group Intelligence Bureau SA, shots suddenly go off as people can be heard screaming in the background.

  No other fatalities have been reported but some shoppers were treated for shock.

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