A robbery suspect was shot and killed on Friday, January 24, in Cato Manor after allegedly opening fire on police officers and security personnel. The incident followed an armed robbery at a bottle store in Moorton, Chatsworth, earlier that afternoon.
According to PT Alarms, the robbery occurred around 3:30 PM when six armed suspects arrived in two vehicles at the bottle store. The suspects, armed with firearms, demanded cash, cellphones, and liquor. One of the getaway vehicles was identified as a white Ford Ranger double cab.
Following the robbery, the suspects fled and made their way onto the Higginson Highway, but their movements were tracked using a cellphone stolen from one of the workers during the heist. PT Alarms was able to track the phone’s location and provided real-time updates to Urban Defense Security and Cato Manor SAPS as the suspects headed toward Chesterville on the N2 highway.
The suspects eventually stopped at a house, where they were confronted by security officers and Cato Manor SAPS. In a bid to escape, the suspects opened fire on the authorities. A security officer returned fire, striking one of the suspects, who was later declared dead at the scene by PT medical teams.
A subsequent search of the house led to the arrest of four additional suspects, and two firearms believed to have been used in the robbery were recovered. Authorities also found stolen goods, including liquor, cellphones, and other valuables taken during the heist, as well as the white Ford Ranger used in the getaway.
Police investigations are ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with further information about the robbery to come forward.