A passenger travelling in a truck was struck by a stray bullet as a security guard exchanged fire with eight armed suspects who had just robbed a pharmacy of undisclosed amount of money in Melville, Johannesburg, on Monday morning.
The shootout began when suspects shot at a private security guard, who was responding to a report of a robbery which was taking place at pharmacy.
Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo, the police spokesperson said: “The private security officer responded to a business robbery in progress. As he was approaching, the suspects started shooting at him and a shootout ensued. A passenger in a truck that was passing by was hit by a stray bullet and was rushed to the nearest hospital for medical treatment.”
The alleged robbery took place happened on Monday morning, when a group of about eight armed men, who arrived in a white Toyota Quantum, entered the pharmacy pretending to be customers, before they held up the employees at gunpoint and in the store and stole money and their cellphones. Masondo said the robbery took place at about 08:30am.
“Police are searching for a gang of about eight armed men who allegedly robbed a pharmacy in Melville on Monday, June 13, 2022, at about 08:30am, where they took cellphones and undisclosed amounts of cash,” said Masondo.
Kobus Botma, the owner of the pharmacy said it was a traumatic experience for him and the rest of his employees and no one was injured inside.
Botma said: “Unfortunately an innocent passenger inside an RTT delivery truck was caught in the crossfire between the robbers and the security guard, I believe he was shot in the face and he has been transferred to Milpark hospital.”
Police are appealing to anyone who might have information that can help in the investigation or assist in apprehending the suspects to call the nearest police station or crime stop on 08600 10111.