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DONDERDAG 18 OKTOBER 2012
GRATIS
Storm in a teacup
Big buzz over ‘armed heist’
Huge hype created around ‘hostage drama’ Marti Will
UTTER confusion, false reports and hype ensued after a “group” of alleged shoplifters descended on Pick ’n Pay in Welkom on Tuesday morning. Vista, who was at the scene just after 13:00, saw at least three employees in a state of shock being loaded into an ambulance. Two clients also suffering from shock were taken away by ambulance. The drama started around 12:30 when the shop’s security staff noticed a group of suspicious looking individuals entering the supermarket. There were apparently between five and six men. Reports as to the exact number of suspects are unclear. Store security alerted the Welkom police. The security followed the men and they observed one of the men taking a block of cheese and some cosmetics. They confronted him, and the suspect allegedly pointed to his side and indicated that he was armed. Capt. Stephen Thakeng, Welkom Police
PICTURED are the two suspects in the police van with police officers.
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communications, says the police’s response to the alarm was immediate. “In the ensuing confusion the ‘cheese suspect’ escaped. Two other men aged 36 and 37 were arrested for shoplifting. No stolen goods were found on these two men.” Vista understands that at one stage a senior staff member of the supermarket is said to have announced over the intercom that staff and clients must fall flat on the ground while the police search the store. This was not a hostage situation, only a precaution.
Some bystanders and eyewitnesses talk of a gun fight between the police and the “robbers”, while others say at least one gun shot was heard. According to the Welkom police, no shots were fired. Vista spoke to some of the eye witnesses outside the store. They were all shocked, and some were even crying. When asked specifically about the gun shot/shots no-one could say with certainty that shots or even a shot had been fired, or what had actually happended.
A CLIENT was treated for shock after the incident. She was transported to hospital.
Photos: Marti Will
THE bush telegraph was working overtime and in supersonic mode on Tuesday following the “armed heist” at Pick ’n Pay in Welkom. Cell phones, telephones, radio stations, word of mouth and the social media went into overdrive, and what emerged was frightening to say the least. . It was reported by a reputable radio station that there was a hostage situation, and that a police officer had confirmed with this particular radio station that the police were negotiating with the robbers/hostage takers. Vista can confirm that there was never a hostage situation. . Another reputable radio station reported that the police were looking for five or more suspects after the alleged robbery. . Furthermore this radio station reported that one of the suspects drew a firearm and that a shot was then fired. This did not happen. No shots were fired. . Vista was told by the police spokesperson, Stephen Thakeng, that the man allegedly only indicated that he had a gun. This suspect escaped in the confusion. . The police arrested two men aged 36 and 37 for alleged shoplifting. No merchandise was found on them. . Only one policeman from the dog unit arrived at the scene. . The two and a half hours Vista spent at the scene were uneventful, apart from the five people Vista saw being treated for shock and being transported away by ambulance. . The area was only cordoned off after 13:00, about half an hour after the incident. . There was a strong police presence, but the atmosphere was calm. . The people who had been inside the store when the incident took place were shocked and unclear as to what had actually happened. Vista spoke to numerous people. Not one of them had actually heard a gunshot. . A police officer confirmed to Vista that there was no evidence of a gun having being fired in the store. They did not find a firearm in their search. . Thakeng says the one positive thing that emerged from this situation was the prompt police action. “The police are ready to deal with any situation,” he said.
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