Dumb muggers, who had just raided the cellphone counter at a well-known chain store had an auto crash with their escape car filled with loot and were busted in Mitchells Plain.

The pair and an accomplice had mugged the Edgars Active store at the Liberty Promenade Mall on Wednesday and had made a perfect escape.

Meanwhile, while rushing to leave the mall’s parking lot, they crashed their car and tried to flee on foot. But two suspects, aged 27 and 24, were apprehended.

Cops say the trio’s getaway car, a Mercedes-Benz which had been hijacked in Gugulethu, had been parked near the entrance of the mall.

However, their driving prowess failed them and they had an auto crash in the parking area and were forced to leave their loot behind as they fled.

Cops managed to seize the cellphones from the car and began trailing the trio.

Two of the bandits were later apprehended and placed in handcuffs.

Police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel André Traut, says it was the quick reaction from the cops which led to the goods been discovered and the suspects apprehended.

“The swift response by members attached to the Mitchells Plain Crime Prevention Unit stopped two robbers in their tracks shortly after a cellphone store was robbed in a mall in Mitchells Plain,” he said.

“At around 1.50 pm, three suspects entered the business, held staff at gunpoint and fled with cellphones valued at a substantial amount.

“Upon exiting the parking area with their getaway vehicle, a black Mercedes-Benz, they collided with another vehicle and were forced to abandon their loot and flee on foot.

“They were pursued by police who managed to apprehend two of the three suspects, aged 24 and 27.

“The stolen phones were recovered and it was established that the Mercedes-Benz had been hijacked in Gugulethu recently.”

Cops are yet to apprehend the third suspect.

The two are anticipated to face the Mitchells Plain Magistrates’ Court today.

Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieut. Gen Khombinkosi Jula, “commended his members for their dedicated efforts to ensure that criminals are disarmed and brought to book in this province”.