Phoenix fast food employee allegedly ‘pistol whipped’ in early morning robbery

A Phoenix fast food store employee was assaulted during a business robbery on Sunday. Picture: Reaction Unit South Africa

A Phoenix fast food store employee was assaulted during a business robbery on Sunday. Picture: Reaction Unit South Africa

Published Oct 10, 2022

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Durban - Armed robbers allegedly surprised two fast food store employees in the Phoenix area of Durban on Sunday as they were setting up the shop for the day.

Reaction Unit SA (Rusa) spokesperson Prem Balram said reaction officers were alerted to the business robbery at approximately 7.21am.

Balram said all available reaction officers were immediately dispatched to the fast food franchise.

He said when reaction officers arrived the victims reported that two suspects armed with firearms surprised them as they were in the process of setting up the store.

“The robbers attempted to force open the safe door with a screwdriver but were unsuccessful. One employee was pistol whipped before the suspects stole an undisclosed amount of cash and fled on foot in an unknown direction,” said Balram.

Balram said the 25-year-old man, who said he was assaulted with a firearm, was transported by ambulance to a medical facility for further care.

Police were approached for comment.

A Phoenix fast food store employee was assaulted during a business robbery on Sunday. Picture: Reaction Unit South Africa

Last month, The Mercury reported that a 17-year-old girl was shot in the thigh and robbed while she stood waiting for a taxi in the Trenance Manor area of Phoenix.

Balram said emergency services members found the teen lying in the road with a gunshot wound to her left thigh.

“According to the victim, she was waiting for a taxi when an unknown individual approached her. He shot her without warning and stole her Huawei P8 Lite cellphone, (after which) she fell to the ground,” said Balram.

THE MERCURY