Men sought after armed robbers in disguise raid Middelburg filling station
A large group of armed robbers dressed as petrol attendants robbed the Doornkop Sasol Filling Station in a hold-up and made off with two vehicles.
Middelburg Observer reports that, according to Mid Alarms operational manager Johan Oberholzer, an undetermined number of suspects descended on Sasol Doornkop yesterday at 01:30, where they held up staff members inside the convenience store.
A reaction officer from Mid Alarms arrived at the Sasol, and during his initial scan of the scene, petrol attendants were walking around outside, and everything seemed normal.
As the reaction officer approached one petrol attendant to ask whether everything was well, the disguised robber pointed a firearm at him and forced him into the shop, where he was held up with the rest of the hostages.
'The officer could not raise an alarm, and two of the suspects left with his reaction vehicle,' Oberholzer explained.
A second reaction officer also responded minutes later. 'The second reaction officer was also held at gunpoint and taken inside.'
According to Oberholzer, the armed robbers then stole cigarettes and other items from the convenience store before fleeing with an undisclosed amount of cash.
Once the robbers were gone, the SAPS was dispatched.
'The SAPS responded quickly, and our reaction officers successfully managed to recover our stolen vehicle. A Volkswagen GTI was also stolen, but was recovered by the police later that day at a school in Doornkop.'
While another publication reported that two people were shot, Oberholzer refutes those reports, adding that no one was shot or injured during the robbery.
'We have very clear imagery of the two suspects in our reaction vehicle, and we appeal to anyone with information on the suspects to please come forward,' Oberholzer urged.
Although the number of suspects is unknown, Oberholzer said it was a large group of between six and nine suspects.
Anyone with information that could assist in the suspects' arrest is asked to call 082 802 6399.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson Colonel Jabu Ndubane confirmed they are looking for the two people in the photo to assist them in their investigation. If anyone knows their whereabouts, they can contact the investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Osia Banze, on 079 420 0535.
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