Armed robbery at Cresta Mall in Johannesburg

The scene after an armed robbery at Cresta Mall, Johannesburg. (Nino Blaq Mzolo, News24 User)

Johannesburg - An elderly man was shot and wounded when three armed men robbed a store at the Cresta shopping mall in Johannesburg on Wednesday, Gauteng police said.

Captain Tsekiso Mofokeng was unable to confirm the extent of his injuries but said the man had been hospitalised.

ER24 spokesperson Werner Vermaak said earlier on Wednesday that the man was shot through the arm.

"They couldn't find any other injured at the scene but people were in shock," Vermaak said.

Shooting randomly

The three men entered an electronics store and ordered the employees to lie down. They took an undisclosed number of cellphones and iPads and fled the scene.

"The men then started shooting randomly in the parking lot of the mall, where the elderly man was injured," said Mofokeng.

Mofokeng was also unable to confirm reports that the robbery happened at the mall's iStore.

Business as usual

Afterwards, it was business as usual at the mall, as shoppers continued with their day, some enjoying a meal at a restaurant near where it appeared the robbers dropped off their loot.

Security and police had Entrance 4 cordoned off with a blue bag lying on the ground. An Apple product could be seen next to the bag. Curious onlookers kept asking security officials questions about the robbery.

iStore employees were still in the store giving statements to police.

A note on the door read: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, iStore will be closed until further notice."

Like a scene from a movie

One employee from a nearby shop, who asked not to be named, said the robbery resembled a scene from a movie.

"I just saw a commotion and went outside. I ran out and was met by a guy with a gun," said the employee.

Realising that there was danger, the employee ran back to the store.

"People closed shops and ducked for cover."

The employee said the armed gang left the iStore with three large bags filled with electronics.

"When the suspects left, we heard gun shots and people ducked to the floor."

Centre management said they would issue a statement on the incident.