Five armed robbery suspects were arrested outside Port Elizabeth on Wednesday morning, within two hours of an armed robbery that had taken place at the Rosehill Mall in Port Alfred.
Captain Mali Govender says two men walked into a chain store in the mall shortly after nine am and approached two female assistants for help with perfumes.
They then told the assistants that they'd come to rob the store and were promptly joined by another two suspects.
They ordered the assistants to put the perfumes into bags they'd brought with them. A local food store manager saw what was happening and tried to chase the robbers but was threatened with a firearm.
Captain Govender says the suspects fled in a grey Ford Eco Sport and were spotted a short while later by PE Flying Squad members near Coega.
A high speed chase ensued and the vehicle turned towards Motherwell where it was stopped at Truckers Inn.
Five suspects between the ages of 20 and 32 were arrested and two firearms were seized. Stolen perfume to the value of R80 000 was recovered and will be returned to its rightful owner.
A case of business robbery is under investigation and the suspects will appear in court soon.
