Five gun-toting skelms who tied up a Grassy Park shop owner will make an appearance at Wynberg Magistrates’ Court after they were caught red-handed.
Grassy Park SAPS commander, Colonel Dawood Laing, says the men were busted within minutes of the business robbery thanks to a wakker passerby who notified police.
“On Thursday at about 4.40pm, the suspects were seen watching and acting suspiciously near the Vredelake Cash Supply store in Lake Road,” he said.
“The person who spotted them called the police and the Flying Squad responded.”
Laing says during this time, the skelms went into the winkel where they held the store owner and his son at gunpoint.
“They stormed the shop and three of them were carrying firearms. They held the store owner and his son at gunpoint and tied them up with plastic cables.
“They stole their cellphones and money and as they tried to leave the shop, they were caught by the Flying Squad.”
The cops tackled the skelms and found them in possession of three illegal firearms and the stolen property in their possession.
The five suspects aged between 30 and 42 were arrested and will appear in the Wynberg Magistrates’ Court today on charges of business robbery, attempted murder and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
Laing says as the festive season looms, shop owners and residents are warned to be careful as robbers are doing their “Christmas shopping”.
“It’s that time of the year when these types of crimes increase as the skelms come out to do their Christmas shopping.
“Business owners and residents are warned to be cautious and to report any suspicious activity immediately.
“We applaud the person who reacted so fast and called the police to ensure these skelms are behind bars,” Laing added.