Police are investigating a business robbery after four armed men robbed Trigg Jewellers in Cavendish Square on Sunday morning.

The same jewellery shop was robbed about five months ago.

Police spokesman Captain FC van Wyk said Sunday’s robbery took place at around 11.30am. “The suspects fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of jewellery. No one has been arrested at this stage.”

Van Wyk said police were still searching for the men.

Witnesses said at least two armed men barged into the shop and demanded all customers to lie on the floor.

A woman, who works at a shop close to Trigg Jewellers, said they only realised something was wrong when the smoke detector went off.

The woman, who declined to be named, added: “Immediately after the smoke went out we saw four armed men running out of the store. We shut our doors as an emergency measure.”

The robbers fired several shots as they left the store and made an escape.

Panicked shoppers ducked for cover as shots rang out.

The suspects escaped in a Nissan Micra. The Gauteng registration number plate was partially identified as DL86**GP.

The car’s rear window has been shattered.

When the Cape Argus visited the mall, Trigg Jewellers was cordoned off. There were no signs of forced entry.

However, a navy and yellow printed track-top was lying on the floor near the doorway. The display case for Breitling watches was empty.

Traumatised workers were locked inside while police conducted their investigation.

Cavendish Square spokeswoman Lana Maree said all retail areas were secured and operational and all shops were trading soon afterwards.

Maree thanked shoppers, tenants and the public for their support and co-operation.

“We also appreciate greatly the effective action carried out by (the police) and Cavendish Square security personnel,” she said.

Trigg Jewellers has been targeted before.

In September last year, it was robbed by four men who had been driving a white VW Jetta.

The armed suspects were spotted by a parking attendant. The attendant said three of the men went into the mall and within six minutes ran back waving guns. The robbers fled with valuable watches.

In February last year, the Scoin Shop in Cavendish Square was robbed after three men held up staff at gunpoint. The men fled with gold coins and an undisclosed amount of money. No one was arrested. And in 2013, five armed men fled with at least 50 expensive watches from Trigg Jewellers.

* Van Wyk has asked anyone with information to call Crime Stop at 08600 10111.

[Source: IOL]