The M1 Freeway remains blocked off in both directions between Xavier Street and Booysens Road following a shoot-out between police and suspects.
According to the Gauteng provincial police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Sello, a Cash-In-Transit (CIT) heist took place at 17:15 on Wednesday, September 27 in Springs when armed suspects forced a cash van to come to a halt.
“The security guards had just picked up money from various outlets and were on their way back to their base when they were disarmed and the cash van boomed,” she said.
Vigilant members attached to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) and Johannesburg Flying Squad traced the suspects at 20:20 on the M1 south near the Booysens off-ramp.
Sello said a shoot-out followed with suspects travelling in a Toyota Quantum. One suspect was certified dead at the scene while two were apprehended. Three rifles were recovered, and cash and two cellphones were seized.
“Two empty cash bags, as well as implements used in armed robberies, were found in the getaway vehicle,” said Sello.
The Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili has commended the swift reaction by Gauteng police for tracing and apprehending Cash-In-Transit (CIT) suspects within three hours of the commission of the crime.
The M1 Freeway remains blocked off in both directions btw Xavier Str & Booyesns Rd due to a crime scene.
Traffic travelling on the M1 North is being diverted at Xavier Str & traffic travelling on the M1 South is being diverted at Booysens Rd. #JHBTraffic #JoburgRoadSafety pic.twitter.com/2om9U1o2ok
— Jo'burg Metro Police Department – JMPD (@JoburgMPD) September 28, 2023
