Gauteng Police have intensified deployments around Malls following recent jewellery store robberies.

Johannesburg police responded to a robbery at a jewellery store in a shopping complex in Johannesburg Central.  The suspects are reported to have shot their way out of the shopping centre with an undisclosed amount worth of jewellery.  A shopping centre security officer as well as four shoppers sustained gunshot wounds and were taken to hospital for medical attention.

In a separate incident, a 28-year-old man was arrested following an ATM bombing today at Motla Village.

It is alleged that two ATMs were bombed and a shoot-out ensued between the suspects and security officers before the suspects fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash. No one was injured.

The police followed up on all the leads and swiftly pounced upon the suspect at Mandela section in Tembisa. He was arrested and is expected to appear in court soon on charges of robbery.

The Provincial Commissioner of Gauteng, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela applauded the members for their swift reaction. He has also directed the District Commissioners in the province to ensure that their deployments are intensified in and around shopping centres. “We will be launching our Operation Safer Festive Season this week. With this operation comes more boots on the ground, more high density operations and high police visibility. We must assert the authority of the State to ensure that we leave no space for criminals to commit crime during this period and beyond,” declared Lt Gen Mawela.

We are appealing to anyone with information on the whereabouts of the robbery  suspects to call the SAPS Crime Stop Number 08600 10111 or to send tip-offs on My SAPS App. Callers may remain anonymous and information received will be treated with confidentiality.

Source: South African Police Service