Police officer, civilian shot during jewellery store heist in Phoenix

Durban – KwaZulu-Natal police have launched a manhunt for a gang of armed suspects who shot a police officer and civilian after robbing a jewellery store in Phoenix, northern Durban, on Sunday.

On Sunday morning, a part of Phoenix turned into a crime scene when shots were fired following a jewellery store robbery.

KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said police have launched a manhunt for an unknown number of armed suspects who shot and wounded a police officer and a civilian shortly after they robbed a jewellery store in Phoenix.

“The suspects stormed into a jewellery store at Phoenix Plaza and robbed the store of jewellery as well as money,” Netshiunda said.

As they fled from the scene, police officers, who are members of the Phoenix Trio Crimes Team, responded and chased a white bakkie which the suspects were travelling in.

“With the suspects shooting at the police from the back of the bakkie, police retaliated and a shoot-out ensued. Two more getaway vehicles driven by another group of suspects started shooting at the police from behind. One police officer sustained a gunshot wound to the shoulder.

“A civilian who was walking along the road was shot in the leg by the suspects,” Netshiunda continued.

“One vehicle which was used by the suspects was found abandoned at L Section in KwaMashu.”

Earlier, there were conflicting reports on the robbery and what transpired when the robbers fled the scene.

KZN VIP Protection Services spokesperson Gareth Naidoo said their members responded after receiving several calls and requests for help in the Phoenix Plaza, as approximately 15 armed suspects entered and held up a jewellery store.

“A security officer from a private security company was also disarmed of his firearm,” Naidoo said.

“Suspects made off with an undisclosed amount of valuables and opened fire as they were fleeing the Plaza, they were seen getting into a white Polo 8, a white single-cab GWM and another red vehicle.

“While emergency services were responding to the scene suspects opened fire on a KZN VIP vehicle near the Unit 9 robots intersection,” Naidoo added.

He said that another shoot-out occurred at Industrial Park where suspects opened fire injuring a police officer and also an innocent motorist.

“Both patients were in critical condition and the officer was rushed privately to hospital whilst the innocent motorist was stabilised on scene by KZN VIP medics together with Netcare 911 before being rushed to hospital for further medical attention.”

Reaction Unit South Africa spokesperson Prem Balram said several response vehicles, a police vehicle and buildings were damaged when the suspects opened fire with high-calibre rifles following the robbery.

Balram said Rusa received the initial call for assistance from a Community Policing Forum member reporting a possible armed robbery in progress.

“Reaction officers converged on the scene and immediately came under attack. Several private security response officers and police officers swiftly responded to the scene and came under fire,” Balram said.

He also said that the robbers used three getaway vehicles.

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