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Seven people have been arrested following the looting of a liquor store in Elsies River on Thursday morning, one of four cases in which alcohol was looted from businesses across the Western Cape in the past 24 hours.
Police spokesman Brigadier General Novela Potelwa said authorities had responded to the Avonwood Mall, where a liquor store had been raided.
“It is alleged that several suspects managed to enter the store by opening a door and looting bottles of alcohol,” he added.
“A tracing operation in the area resulted in the arrest of seven suspects between the ages of 18 and 33. They have been charged with robbery and theft.”
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A video of the incident shows adults and children fighting for liquor through a broken store window. Some leave with a shot of liquor before what appears to be the mall staff intervening and chasing the looters.
In another incident, a 30-year-old woman was arrested early Thursday by Steenberg police in Retreat.
“[While on patrol], they witnessed two suspects leaving a liquor store with bottles of alcohol. The suspects fled and the police chased them, “Potelwa said.
The woman was arrested and charged with robbery and theft, while more suspects were still being sought.
In Hermanus, two suspects over the age of twenty were arrested for robbery and theft after a liquor store window was broken and several bottles of alcohol were stolen in the early hours of Thursday.
Both are in police custody on robbery and theft charges.
On Wednesday night, six people were arrested by Mbekweni police after a liquor store in the area was raided and looted alcohol.
“About 20 young people are alleged to have broken into the business premises after they broke a store door and thus gained access. Amounts of liquor were still taken to be determined,” said Potelwa.
A similar incident is believed to have taken place in Belhar on Thursday. Police have yet to confirm this incident.
Provincial Police Commissioner Lt. Gen. Yolisa Matakata said officers would find and arrest violators, saying they have “stepped up all efforts.”
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