A man, aged 32, has been arrested in Witbank for attempting to rob a restaurant using a toy gun. He is expected to appear in the eMalahleni Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
The incident occurred on Tuesday night when the man entered the restaurant in Witbank CBD, disguised as a customer, IOL reports.
“He then pulled out an object which resembled a firearm, put it on the counter and demanded cash,” Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said.
“The cashier’s colleagues activated a panic button, while a call for help was made from the nearby supermarket, as well as security personnel,” he said.
“The suspect tried to escape empty-handed, but it was too late for him as he was apprehended by the security officers from CSC Tactical Security company after spotting him as they were patrolling in the area.”
Additionally, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, the provincial commissioner of SAPS in Mpumalanga, praised the collaboration between private security companies and police in the area.
In April, a 34-year-old man was apprehended in Mpumalanga after police found over R100,000 bullets and a toy gun, which were linked to the theft of money from a Capitec ATM. According to Mohlala, the police in Mpumalanga also discovered a pistol magazine on the man at the time of his arrest.
Four of the criminals fled, as the 34-year-old man was cornered by law enforcement agents.
“He was charged for burglary as well as for possession of suspected stolen property, the money. He is expected to appear at the Standerton Magistrate’s Court soon, facing the said charges,” Mohlala said.
