A 42-year-old male suspect will soon appear in Gqeberha Magistrate’s Court after being arrested by SAPS following an attempted robbery of a sports bar in Newton Park on Wednesday morning, 21 August.
According to police spokesperson, Captain Andre Beetge, he will be charged with armed robbery and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
He revealed that the manager of a sports bar on Cape Road, Newton Park, was busy opening up the premises at about 08:00 when this incident happened.
Beetge said three armed male suspects pointed a gun at the manager and ordered him to unlock the premises.
“He then struggled and fought with the suspects, and a 51-year-old passerby came running to help the manager,” he reported.
Beetge added: “One of the suspects then shot at the 51-year-old male and wounded him in his foot. All the suspects fled the scene, and in the process, they dropped a replica firearm which was later picked up.”
Beetge further added that the victim chased the suspects with his own vehicle and bumped into one of them at a tire service station on Cape Road.
“Moments later, the SAPS Mount Road Task Team arrived on the scene and arrested the suspect in possession of an unlicensed firearm, a 9mm pistol, and ammunition. Both an unlicensed firearm and a replica firearm were confiscated by police,” he revealed.
“These firearms will be sent for further forensic and ballistic analysis.”
The SAPS Nelson Mandela Bay District Commander, Major General Vuyisile Ncata, expressed his gratitude towards the good samaritan who rushed to the aid of the victim.
“We are pleased to have arrested one of the suspects and taken two of their weapons off the street. We will be investigating these cases and hope to have the rest of the suspects behind bars.”
