Armed robbery rocks Thembisa Engen: Shots fired and safe bombed
The robbers, armed with pistols and rifles, shot at two EMPD officers who were present, fortunately causing only non-life-threatening injuries.
An armed robbery shook the Engen garage in Liliba Section, Thembisa, when a group of heavily armed criminals attacked, making off with an undisclosed amount of cash, a R3 000 voucher and several cartons of cigarettes.
Employees on duty reported that the robbers arrived in a white Isuzu bakkie with several people in the back.
Armed with pistols and rifles, two entered the store and demanded a R3 000 voucher be printed. They then ordered staff to put cigarettes into a basket before forcing one cashier outside.
They instructed the cashier and others to lie down near the ATM outside the shop.
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Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots, followed by a loud explosion believed to be the detonation of explosives used to access the store’s drop safe.
Once the area fell silent, nearby residents rushed to the scene in an apparent looting frenzy, revealing that the drop safe had indeed been bombed.
While the exact amount stolen remains under investigation, the incident took a more alarming turn when two EMPD officers, who had been at the garage for coffee, were caught in the crossfire.
They were shot at while still inside their vehicle, but fortunately sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Their service firearms were not stolen.
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All relevant authorities responded to the scene, including the Bomb Squad, the Provincial Investigation Unit and the Local Criminal Record Centre. A full investigation is underway.
In response to the attack, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi addressed the incident during the integrated service delivery event held the same day in Thembisa.
“They bombed an ATM before our eyes,” Lesufi said.
“But they didn’t realise we had already identified the suspects. We have since launched a manhunt.
“That area was under surveillance, and this kind of monitoring will soon be common in Thembisa. We will install cameras at every entrance to help fight crime.”
Based on what the Thembisan saw at the scene, the extent of the damage suggests the use of high-powered shotguns and rifles, as shown by bullet holes and wreckage inside the garage.
The bomb used on the drop safe caused significant structural damage behind the cashier counters.
The brazen attack has sparked renewed calls for improved security and surveillance at local businesses, especially those repeatedly targeted in recent months.
