Three nabbed hours after Bull & Bush armed robbery

Pini Bothoko | Thursday July 20, 2017 16:31

 

The suspects, described by police as foreigners, were arrested after an extensive manhunt in the bushes and general area near the nightspot immediately after the crime was reported. The robbery occurred at 8am and by 5.30pm the men were nabbed, but P60,000 was unaccounted for.

“We are still investigating where the rest of the money is hidden,” Officer Commanding Number 3 district, Bonnie Bareki told journalists. Hundreds of onlookers spent the entire day in the Bull & Bush area, watching scores of heavily armed police and security forces combing the area for the robbers. The suspects made off with the cash after pouncing on staff, assaulting some and threatening them with firearms.

Police quickly set up a tight perimeter in the bushes around the nightspot, searching for the suspects with the assistance of a helicopter for most of the day. 

The robbers abandoned a Toyota Corolla they were using in the bush near the pub. Bull & Bush manager, Assiah Azeezuddeen told Mmegi that two armed robbers burst into the pub around 8am, shortly after opening, and with guns drawn demanded money. She said the men were wearing masks that made it difficult to identify them.

“When entering the shop,  the aggressive duo started to assault me and the pub director who sustained serious injuries. They were demanding cash.  Seeing how serious they were, we led them towards the safe, opened it and let them take the money.  They then fled,” said Azeezuddeen, who had visible bruises.

Asked if she suspected an inside job, Azeezuddeen said the possibility was unlikely as the robbers did not even know where the safe was.

“The robbers were pushing us towards the opposite direction whilst instructing us to give them money. Fearing for our lives, we told them where the safe was located,” she said.

In April, robbers struck Bull & Bush making away with P11,000.