Do not interfere with police duty
He claimed that if shots were fired, members of the public would also have been in the line of fire.
LYDENBURG – Local SAPS are urging civilians to stay clear when police are in action, as was the case on Monday when a G4S security vehicle was robbed.
SAPS spokesman, Capt Alfred Moela, told Steelburger/Lydenburg News that the heist took place on the R37, close to the intersection of the R539.
“The suspects in two Mercedes-Benz vehicles, one silver and the other black, fired shots at the security vehicle, forcing it to a standstill. “Security officials were ordered out of the vehicle and the criminals bombed the back of the van. Security officers said they could not confirm how many suspects were involved in the heist,” said Moela.
It is estimated that there were between eight and 10 robbers. He said the men fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash. “Local SAPS were dispatched to block the bottom of Long Tom Pass in case they made their way towards town. While heavily armed officers were stationed at the circle entrance near Checkers, several civilians stopped behind police vehicles to find out what was happening. We urge residents not to engage in this manner. The suspects were heavily armed, as were the police. We are not talking about a nine-millimetre pistols. These are assault weapons,” said Moela
He claimed that if shots were fired, members of the public would also have been in the line of fire. “We are asking the community to please stay clear. As long as the scene is not safe and secure, civilians should not go near it.”
He said not only were bystanders hindering the police from doing their duty, they are also a distraction and put the lives of the officers at risk. Two vehicles were later found in a plantation at Montrose.
“The criminals use stolen vehicles for these robberies and they possibly fled with another vehicle after abandoning the two Benzes. They left some cash from the robbery in the car which indicates that they were in a hurry.”
None of the security guards were injured. The suspects are still at large. Police are investigating the cash-in-transit heist.
