A PINETOWN resident was caught in the middle of a cash-in-transit robbery in progress on Tuesday, January 14.

The robbery happened on the M19, Pinetown-bound after Resevoir Hills, heading towards Westville where Andreas Mathios, a community support specialist for Marshall Security, was lucky to escape with his life.

Recalling the ordeal, Mathios said he was on his way to a photoshoot when he saw and heard a message coming in on the WhatsApp group that there was a robbery in progress on the M19 just after 18:00.

Also read: Six injured and 1 killed in New Germany heist

“When I arrived closer to the incident, I parked my car 150m away to assist and protect members of the public to not get closer to the incident.”

He said he could not confirm how many suspects there were.

“Out of nowhere while I was taking cover outside my vehicle, multiple gunshots came from the bush on my right hand side on the M19 westbound side as I was eastbound.”

The Pinetown resident said he fell on the floor for cover and after about 20 seconds, he went into his car and drove down the road to check on the guards and then went to direct the traffic away from the scene.

“I then made a U-turn and went back to the scene of the crime together with Marshall security special operations, other security companies’ members and the police.”

Westville SAPS communications officer, Captain Elizabeth Squires, said the cash-in-transit vehicle was on the M19, transporting an undisclosed amount of cash when it came under heavy gunfire.

“Suspects failed to get the money from the vehicle but robbed the security members of their firearms.

“Suspects fled in several vehicles, however two vehicles were abandoned on the scene.”

Also read: Pinetown SAPS deploy more cops to combat rising vehicle theft

Squires said no-one has been arrested and a case of cash-in-transit robbery, and attempted murder is being investigated by the Hawks.

ALS Paramedics also responded to the scene and found SAPS and security officials in attendance with the roadway closed and a damaged cash-in-transit vehicle with multiple bullet holes.

“Paramedics were shown to where one of the guards were and found him to have sustained open wounds to his arms. He was stabilised on the scene by Advanced Life Support Paramedics before he was loaded into an awaiting ALS Paramedics Ambulance and transported to a nearby hospital.”

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