Cigarettes, cash and several rounds of ammunition for a 9mm pistol and a 7.65 pistol were recovered from two men arrested by community members after a Grahamstown spaza shop was robbed in the early hours of Tuesday 9 February.
Cigarettes, cash and several rounds of ammunition for a 9mm pistol and a 7.65 pistol were recovered from two men arrested by community members after a Grahamstown spaza shop was robbed in the early hours of Tuesday 9 February.
Police said that at about 4am today, two male suspects entered a spaza shop in Vukani by bending the burglar bars.
The person who runs the shop was asleep inside and woke up, said police spokesperson Captain Mali Govender.
"As the suspects tried to force open the gate leading to the sleeping area, the victim contacted the owner, who mobilised friends."
Govender said the suspects fled with an undisclosed amount of cash and cigarettes and were arrested shortly afterwards.
"The following items were recovered and seized from them," Govender said: "Cigarettes, cash as well as several rounds of ammunition for a 9mm pistol and a 7.65 pistol."
Govender said the suspects, whose ages are unknown, will appear in the magistrate's court in Grahamstown soon. They face a charge of business robbery.
A cellphone was recovered in a citizen arrest the day before.
Govender said that at about 2pm on Monday 8 February, two men approached a building site at Xolani and demanded jobs.
When the victim informed them there were no jobs, one of the suspects produced a firearm and snatched the victim's cellphone. A co-worker at the site gave chase and returned with the victim's cellphone, valued at R4 800.
Govender said, "No arrests have been made; however one of the suspects is known.
"The community are urged to report any information that they may have on crime and criminals in their area, as well as illegal firearms, to their local SAPS.
“Alternatively, contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or SMS the information to Crime Line no 32211 at all hours. You may remain anonymous.”
