Explosion rips ATMs apart
The burned shells of two ATMs mark the location of the latest bombing. On Saturday at around 01:05 robbers made off with an undisclosed amount of cash after bombing the Net 1 Financial Services in Kantoor Street.
Black Bull Security and Sun Security were on the scene when the police arrived. Black Bull informed the SAPS that they had been patrolling the street when they spotted a Mercedes-Benz parked next to the Net 1 Financial Services, facing them. They could not make out the colour or vehicle registration as the headlights were too bright.
The security officers reversed and took cover when gunshots were fired from the Mercedes-Benz. There was a loud bang and they saw a group of suspects running out of the financial services building and jumped into the waiting vehicle. Other suspects were firing at the security officers from the Pick n Pay entrance.
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In a recorded voice note, an officer of Sun Security can be heard saying, “They hit my car”.
The members of the Lydenburg SAPS Bomb Squad arrived at the scene and confirmed that two ATMs were bombed inside the building.
Some money was found in a damaged ATM money holder, and some notes were shredded during the explosion.
The money was booked into the SAPS 13 store and handed over to Fidelity Security. No arrests have been made and the investigation is still pending.
“We want to tell the public to be vigilant and also be aware of possible card fraud. We are appealing to all banks and financial institutions to have security guards at their ATMs day and night to avoid card cloning and ATM bombings,” said Capt Kaizer Moela, spokesperson for Lydenburg SAPS.
Any information that might lead to the arrest of the suspects can be communicated to Lt Col Owen Dibakoane on 082-303-9799.
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