The quick reactions of a Fidelity ADT Security Officer have foiled an attempted robbery at Cresta Shopping Centre today.

According to Wahl Bartmann, CEO of Fidelity Services Group, approximately six armed suspects entered the centre via entrance 2 and proceeded to one of the retail outlets where they held up the store’s staff. The Fidelity Security Officer on duty noticed the men and alerted other security in the centre. Realising they had been detected, the suspects fled without taking any stock, threatening the officer with their firearms.

Bartmann says the suspects attempted to flee via entrance 1 but were blocked by further officers stationed at that exit to prevent vehicle thefts.

The suspects then stopped their vehicle in the parking area and attempted to flee on foot. They fired several shots at the security officers who returned fire. They then jumped over a fence of an adjacent office park and attempted to hijack a staff vehicle. “Once again their attempts to flee proved futile as they were stopped by our officers,” says Bartmann. Two of the suspects were apprehended and handed over to the SAPS while the remaining four managed to flee.

One firearm was recovered as well as the vehicle used by the suspects and the car they attempted to hijack.  

“We are starting to see a lot more of these kind of attempted business robberies in retail centres. I want to commend our Officers on their outstanding response to this attempted robbery. Fortunately no one was injured in the squirmish and we are working closely with the SAPS to follow up on any leads,” concludes Bartmann.