24/7 Security has intercepted armed suspects as they attempted to flee the scene.

This happened at a retail business in Fourways, where an armed robbery, on April 25, was brought under control when the security detail responded, within minutes, to a live distress signal.

The incident unfolded at a company under 24/7’s protection. Managing director David De Lima confirmed that they received a direct signal from the client while the robbery was still in progress.

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Response vehicles were immediately dispatched without delay. “When our teams arrived, the suspects were already trying to exit the site. Our vehicles engaged them as they attempted to flee.”

According to De Lima, the situation escalated rapidly as security units moved to block escape routes. In one of the incident photographs, a 24/7 Security vehicle can be seen ramming one of the suspects’ getaway cars in an effort to prevent their escape.

A confrontation followed, during which 24/7 Security personnel apprehended three suspects on site. Four unlicensed firearms were recovered, along with two vehicles believed to have been used in the robbery. A significant portion of stolen stock was also recovered.

De Lima stressed that no other private security companies were involved in the operational response. “24/7 Security was the only responding security provider on site.” SAPS also reacted to the business robbery in progress.

While photographs circulating from the scene show the presence of specialised units, De Lima clarified that these arrived after the incident had already been contained, and were not part of the initial response or arrests.

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“Once the situation was under control and word spread, additional parties arrived, but they were not involved operationally.”

Brigadier Veeshani Arikum, of Douglasdale Police Station, confirmed that 24/7 Security was the primary security provider at the premises, and the first to respond to the armed robbery. She said the suspects had opened fire on security personnel before fleeing on foot and being pursued by 24/7 teams.

The scene was later handed over to Douglasdale SAPS for further investigation and forensic processing.

Arikum expressed her gratitude to the company and appreciated their efforts to make the community safe. “Good working relationships and collaboration are what lead to good successes. Douglasdale police have always worked hand in hand with our security companies.”

De Lima said the company maintains a close working relationship with the police in the area. “We support SAPS in joint operations and crime prevention efforts wherever we can. They do important work, and we remain committed to assisting them.”

No staff members or customers were injured during the incident. Arikum said four suspects were arrested and have appeared in the Randburg Magistrate’s court.

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