A swift response by the Nelson Mandela Bay District Crime Combatting Unit led to the arrest of an armed robbery suspect on Tuesday, following a violent heist at a shopping mall jewellery store that left two people injured.
The incident began at approximately 11:10 on Tuesday, 18 November 2025. According to preliminary reports, a group of suspects overpowered a security guard at a shopping centre in Gqeberha before forcing their way into a jewellery store.
Once inside, the suspects smashed display windows and stole an undisclosed quantity of jewellery. The robbery turned violent when a client inside the store was injured and required medical treatment on the scene. As the suspects fled, they fired multiple shots inside the mall, during which a security guard sustained two grazed wounds to his hip and leg.
The suspects then escaped in a white Audi that was parked in the undercover parking area.
The Nelson Mandela Bay District Crime Combatting Unit was immediately activated. While en route to the scene, members spotted the suspect vehicle on Disa Road in Newton Park and initiated a chase.
The pursuit reached a critical point at the Disa Road bridge intersection leading to the N2, where the suspects’ Audi was blocked by a red traffic light and other vehicles. A shootout ensued, with the suspects firing shots at the police vehicle, prompting members to return fire.
During the exchange, one suspect jumped out of the Audi and continued to fire at police officers. Despite this, the Audi managed to flee the scene.
Police successfully arrested the 30-year-old suspect who had exited the vehicle and recovered one firearm with ammunition at the scene of the shootout. The white Audi was later found abandoned in the Zwide area.
The suspect is set to be detained on charges of business robbery, attempted murder, and the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. He is scheduled to appear in the Gqeberha Magistrate’s Court later this week.