Ntwaagae Seleka

Ntwaagae Seleka

A police dog helped Vaal cops to arrest a 39-year-old armed robber in Vereeniging yesterday.

Police spokesman Captain Shado Mashobane said Rex, the police dog, helped them to catch the man from Yeoville, Johannesburg, who was hiding in a yard in Sonland Park, Vereeniging.

Mashobane said the man was in the company of an unknown armed man when they entered a hardware store in the area.

"The two armed robbers entered the shop at about 10am and held the store owner, family and employees at gunpoint," said Mashobane.

The suspect allegedly ordered the wife of the businessman to show him the safe.

"He opened it and as the robber kneeled down to loot the cash the woman fled, locked him inside the storeroom and called the police," said Mashobane.

Mashobane said the trapped robber fired two shots and used a hammer to free himself. "Rex led us through the trail until he spotted where he was hiding."

The accomplice had run away when he heard the commotion.

The man was found in possession of a firearm. His partner escaped with the owner's wallet, cash and cellphone.