Cape Town - Police in the Free State are looking for five suspects who robbed a foreign tuck shop owner of money and stock.
Police spokesperson Warrant officer Malebo Khosana said the incident happened on Monday at around 7pm as the Ethiopian national was closing his shop in 2010 Village in Thabong.
“It is alleged that five unknown males attacked the owner when he was about to close the tuck shop situated at 2010 Village, Thabong,” police said. “The 29-year-old complainant alleged that as he was already outside next to the door, his brother was waiting for him when these unknown males jumped out of silver coloured Toyota Avanza. They quickly ran towards him holding knives which they used to threaten the complainant.
“The complainant could not get a chance to run back into the shop for safety as they pushed him inside. As he was afraid to be stabbed he let them take anything they wanted. The brother to the complainant drove off the scene leaving him with the assailants.
“A large sum of money, shop stock including variety of cigarette brands and tobacco cartons, washing powder, soap, Vaseline, MTN and Vodacom vouchers was taken by the five suspects who ran to the getaway silver Toyota Avanza that was waiting with the driver inside. They fled the scene without inflicting physical harm to the complainant.”
Police said the shop owner would be able to identify the suspects if he saw them and have asked the help of the public in tracing the suspects and the silver Toyota Avanza with an unknown registration number plate. Any person with information was asked to contact D/WO Bertus Olivier on 082 885 5271.
ANA