Bag snatcher is shot dead by his victim as the thief tries to escape in a getaway car

A bag thief who was attempting to jump into a getaway car was shot dead in a car park by the bag’s owner pursuing him on foot.

The suspect sprinted towards the vehicle as the owner of the brown bag was in in hot pursuit, tailing him across the Cycad Mall car park in Limpopo, South Africa.

A video clip shows the moment the owner catches up with him, just as the man who was wearing orange trousers is about to get into the silver Toyota Corolla sedan.

As the owner approaches the suspect suddenly drops to the floor as the owner appears to shoot him at close range , just as his getaway vehicle speeds off with the backdoor still open.         

The alleged gunman then picks up his bag and calmly walks away, leaving the suspect lying on the ground.

The bag’s owner told police: ‘These people, all the time they steal from us.’

A bag thief sprinted across a car park closely followed by the owner of the bag

As the thief approached his getaway car he suddenly dropped to the ground

As the thief approached his getaway car he suddenly dropped to the ground

Police spokesperson Moatshe Ngoepe said that the alleged shooter, a 58-year-old local resident, noticed the suspect approaching his vehicle as he walked towards the shopping centre.

Ngoepe said: ‘He then saw the suspect running away with his bag towards the getaway car, which had four people inside, and he chased him on foot.

‘He told the suspect to stop, but he continued running and then he fired some shots. The suspect died instantly.’

The alleged shooter stood talking to emergency services next to the thief who had been shot

The alleged shooter stood talking to emergency services next to the thief who had been shot

The alleged shooter stood talking to emergency services next to the thief who had been shot and then covered with white material

‘The stolen bag was recovered with some of the contents, including cellphones and an undisclosed amount of cash.’ 

A bystander said: ‘And his friends ran away from him. They left him,’ reports Times Live. 

An investigation has been opened and police are currently searching for the four occupants of the alleged getaway vehicle.

The owner of the brown bag stood holding it near police outside the mall

The owner of the brown bag stood holding it near police outside the mall

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk