An alleged armed robber on the run from the police stunned a classroom of over 30 four-year-olds by bursting in and asking politely whether he could possibly hide behind a cupboard - which he did for 20 minutes... before he was arrested.
The gunman had scaled the perimeter wall and ran into the playground on Monday morning after his car had collided with a police vehicle outside Kidio Preparatory School in Fort Beaufort in South Africaââ¬â¢s Eastern Cape province.
Collette Hattingh, the head teacher, said that the thief first buried his pistol in the sandpit before running inside the school buildings in search of a place to hide and pleading with the teacher to help him evade capture.
Earlier he had allegedly being involved in a shootout with police when he and three accomplices were caught holding up a nearby supermarket.
The gang had been caught trying to steal 300,000 South African Rand (ã27,000) from a security guard outside a Spar close to the school.
The suspects fled in separate getaway vehicles but after the collision the man climbed over the school walls at about 11am.
Mrs Hattingh said: ââ¬ËI saw him as he came over the wall and he had a gun in his hand.
ââ¬ËHe then ran all around the school - he was obviously looking for somewhere to conceal himself.
ââ¬ËIn the end he hid his gun in the sandpit in the playground and then went towards the lower end of the school.ââ¬â¢
Then the unnamed robber rushed into the school and Mrs Hattingh continued: ââ¬ËHe burst into the classroom and asked for the teacher to help him.
ââ¬ËThe children couldnââ¬â¢t believe what was happening. One minute they were having their morning lessons and the next a strange man was asking to be hidden from the police.
ââ¬ËHe burst into the room but was very polite once he was in - he asked whether the teacher could hide him behind a store cupboard.
ââ¬ËHe was in a blind panic but still managed to remain polite and asked in a very calm voice for help.ââ¬â¢
The head teacher praised Lizelle Human, who was in charge of the four-year-old class, for her calm handling of the crisis.
She said: ââ¬ËLizelle was obviously shocked and her first thoughts were for the children, who were very young.
ââ¬ËThe robber was perfectly friendly and she agreed to hide him behind a cupboard.
ââ¬ËHe even handed her his mobile phone and wallet before he climbed around the back and then she piled chairs up to conceal him.
ââ¬ËMeanwhile she was gesturing to police through the window to let them know where he was.ââ¬â¢
Officials said the alleged robber refused to allow any children to leave the room but stayed hidden quietly in the hope detectives would fail to spot him.
The young children have all been offered therapy following the incident, and school officials have pledged to increase security at the site.
Police have confirmed a man had been taken into custody at the school and Mzwandile Vaaiboom said the suspect would face charges of attempted armed robbery.
Link: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...n-sandpit-shocking-classroom-4-year-olds.html
The gunman had scaled the perimeter wall and ran into the playground on Monday morning after his car had collided with a police vehicle outside Kidio Preparatory School in Fort Beaufort in South Africaââ¬â¢s Eastern Cape province.
Collette Hattingh, the head teacher, said that the thief first buried his pistol in the sandpit before running inside the school buildings in search of a place to hide and pleading with the teacher to help him evade capture.
Earlier he had allegedly being involved in a shootout with police when he and three accomplices were caught holding up a nearby supermarket.
The gang had been caught trying to steal 300,000 South African Rand (ã27,000) from a security guard outside a Spar close to the school.
The suspects fled in separate getaway vehicles but after the collision the man climbed over the school walls at about 11am.
Mrs Hattingh said: ââ¬ËI saw him as he came over the wall and he had a gun in his hand.
ââ¬ËHe then ran all around the school - he was obviously looking for somewhere to conceal himself.
ââ¬ËIn the end he hid his gun in the sandpit in the playground and then went towards the lower end of the school.ââ¬â¢
Then the unnamed robber rushed into the school and Mrs Hattingh continued: ââ¬ËHe burst into the classroom and asked for the teacher to help him.
ââ¬ËThe children couldnââ¬â¢t believe what was happening. One minute they were having their morning lessons and the next a strange man was asking to be hidden from the police.
ââ¬ËHe burst into the room but was very polite once he was in - he asked whether the teacher could hide him behind a store cupboard.
ââ¬ËHe was in a blind panic but still managed to remain polite and asked in a very calm voice for help.ââ¬â¢
The head teacher praised Lizelle Human, who was in charge of the four-year-old class, for her calm handling of the crisis.
She said: ââ¬ËLizelle was obviously shocked and her first thoughts were for the children, who were very young.
ââ¬ËThe robber was perfectly friendly and she agreed to hide him behind a cupboard.
ââ¬ËHe even handed her his mobile phone and wallet before he climbed around the back and then she piled chairs up to conceal him.
ââ¬ËMeanwhile she was gesturing to police through the window to let them know where he was.ââ¬â¢
Officials said the alleged robber refused to allow any children to leave the room but stayed hidden quietly in the hope detectives would fail to spot him.
The young children have all been offered therapy following the incident, and school officials have pledged to increase security at the site.
Police have confirmed a man had been taken into custody at the school and Mzwandile Vaaiboom said the suspect would face charges of attempted armed robbery.
Link: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...n-sandpit-shocking-classroom-4-year-olds.html
