Vigilant police thwart CIT heist

STEELPOORT – The Burgersfort SAPS arrived in time to prevent a cash-in-transit heist near the Steelbridge last Saturday morning.

According to Limpopo police spokesman, Lt Col Moatshe Ngoepe, the alleged criminals were attempting to force the cash van off the road when a police vehicle arrived at the scene.

“The motorists of three cars; an Audi A4, a Mercedes-Benz, and a Ford Ranger, had driven right up to the van and the Mercedes rammed it.

The driver lost control and swerved off the road. At the same time the three cars stopped, and the gang jumped out and started running towards the van,” said Ngoepe.

Before they could start stealing cash, a police car arrived. The culprits started shooting at the officers while running away. They retaliated and the suspects sped off.

“While they were running away, they were stopped by a traffic policeman on duty on the R555. He halted them, but they robbed him of his firearm and continued to flee.

They also hijacked another Mercedes-Benz passing the scene.

According to the police, some of the thugs climbed into that Merc, and others into the remaining cars.

They then all sped off. All three vehicles were recovered a few kilometres from the scene.

Inside the Audi and Ranger, the police found a generator, a grinding machine and a firearm.

Ngoepe said the Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Ranger had also been reported stolen.

Another firearm was found in the Merc. “There were no fatalities or injuries, and no money was taken. Only the traffic officer’s firearm was stolen.”