Substation security guards tied up during robbery
Copper cables were stolen from the Van Eck Park Substation by three men.
After overpowering security guards on duty at the Van Eck Park Substation, three robbers helped themselves to copper cables valued at thousands of rands.
The robbers gained access to the premises at about 01:00 on Tuesday. According to information received from Brakpan SAPS, seven guards were on site and took turns to patrol in groups.
Three of the guards were out on patrol when they were attacked by the robbers, one of whom was armed with a gun and another with a knife.
One of the guards managed to run off while the other two were taken to a building on the premises.
There were two guards inside the building and they and the apprehended guards were tied up. The robbers then got to work and cut cables from cable drums stored in the building.
They fled the scene on foot and also made off with cellphones belonging to two of the guards.
After the robbers left, the guards managed to untie themselves.
Four lengths of cable were recovered in a nearby veld during a search of the area after police arrived on the scene.
An ambulance was also summoned to the substation after the guard who made a run for it fell and injured himself during his escape.
The stolen cables and two cellphones have an estimated value of R51 000.
A business robbery docket was opened.
