THE MERCURY
A gang of at least 10 gunmen, some wielding AK-47s, held up staff and patrons at Mount Edgecombes exclusive Marco Paulo restaurant. Photo: Shelley Kjonstad
Durban – A quiet evening of fine dining turned into a night of terror when a gang, some wielding AK-47s, stormed an upmarket Mount Edgecombe restaurant at the weekend robbing patrons and staff of their wallets, jewellery and cellphones.
The Marco Paulo restaurant was about three-quarters full when the gang pulled up in cars on Saturday night.
Restaurant co-owner Paul Sheppard was assaulted, but no shots were fired during the robbery.
The men also had 9mm pistols and government-issue R5 assault rifles.
Investigators believe a mysterious couple, who arrived moments before the thieves, could have been “casing” the venue and texting the robbers, while they waited for a pizza.
The couple, who were in their late twenties to early thirties and had been driving a red car, walked into the restaurant at 9.30pm and asked for a take-away pizza, said Enforce Security director Anthony Feuilherade, who was eating in the restaurant at the time.
“They were not dressed properly,” he said. “They seemed suspicious and were on their cellphones the whole time.”
Minutes later, a silver/gold Toyota pulled up at the gate of the parking lot. The men inside held the security guard at gun point and marched him to the restaurant. At the same time another unidentified vehicle pulled up in the parking lot and between eight and 10 men poured into the restaurant.
“My wife saw they had guns and screamed,” said Feuilherade.
Most of the people inside the restaurant hid under tables.
“I could not hide because there was no space,” said Feuilherade, “So I laid my head on the table.”
As they rushed in, the young couple calmly walked out without their pizza.
“One man came up behind me and pushed his AK-47 against my cheek,” said Feuilherade.
“He asked me what I had and I told him nothing. Then he took my cellphone and wallet.”
Feuilherade recognised the man as a suspect who was wanted by Enforce Security investigators in connection with another robbery.
Seconds later the same man returned. He said Feuilherade was lying about not having other valuables and pulled him aside.
“He searched me up and down, really thoroughly,” said Feuilherade, “But I did not have anything else.” Feuilherade saw the men rob other customers of their cellphones and wallets.
“At one point a child, in a pram, started to cry and the men were yelling at him to shut up,” he said.
The men ordered Sheppard to take them to the safe which he did but they were unable to open it. Instead they took a number of bottles of liquor and left. Sheppard was hit on the head. He was recovering at home on Sunday.
The entire incident lasted three minutes before the gang left.
When Feuilherade and his investigators looked at CCTV footage, they recognised another man who was believed to be involved in the recent robbery of a Glenashley restaurant.
Feuilherade called on the community, police and the media to work together and share information with private security companies to stop crime. Marco Paulo co-owner Brenton “Billy” Franks said the restaurant would increase security. On Sunday, it was open for lunch and would continue trading as normal.
Phoenix police confirmed they were investigating the robbery but said no arrests had been made.
bernadette.wolhuter@inl.co.za
The Mercury
