Five skelms, who held up a Burger King restaurant, are behind bars after wakker cops chased them through the streets of Athlone on Monday night.
According to a source, the five men from Langa, driving a white Mazda Sting, showed up at fast food joint in Turfhall Road at about 8pm, and held them up at gunpoint.
“They arrived as the staff were closing up and two of them were armed. They held the manager and staff at gunpoint and demanded the keys to the safe,” says the source.
“They got access and stole R12 000 from the safe, but the staff were not injured.
“Only two of them had guns, but one was carrying a gas gun and the other a 9mm pistol. After getting the money, they fled the scene in that white Mazda.”
The source says the dom skelms left the scene and thought they had gotten away, but had no idea that the Anti-Gang Unit was just a few streets away.
“A call was put out on the radio and unfortunately for them, the AGU was around the corner on Jan Smuts Drive when the call came over the radio.
“AGU and Athlone SAPS spotted the vehicle and the chase started.”
The robbers drove towards Carrington Avenue where they decided to abandon their vehicle and split up.
Frantic alerts were shared on community chat groups for residents to be alert and look for the skelms, who were arrested in streets across Athlone shortly after 8pm.
“The cops were too fast for them and recovered the money and the two guns used in the robbery. Those guys are all from Langa and were taken to Athlone Police Station,” adds the source.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana confirms the arrest and says the swift action of cops resulted in the arrest of five men aged between 24 and 26 years old.
“The cash was recovered and two unlicensed firearms were seized.
The suspects are expected to appear in the Wynberg Magistrates’ Court once they have been charged,” she says.
The Daily Voice visited the eatery on Tuesday where a man, who identified himself as the head manager, declined to comment.
He referred the reporter to Burger King’s head office, which has been closed due to Covid-19.
Lansdowne Community Police Forum chairperson Rafique Foflonker said they were happy with the swift action of police.