Gang fails to obtain cash after detonating explosives at the Elegant Garage in Lydenburg
Suspects fill bakkie up with fuel, then attempt to blow up ATM safe
Three employees of the Elegant Garage were held at gunpoint on Monday July 3 at about 00:10.
“The five suspects posed as clients and were forced by the suspects to have their silver Ford Ranger filled up with petrol,” said Sergeant Cave Dilebo, spokesperson for the Lydenburg SAPS.
After the vehicle was filled with petrol, the two petrol attendants were overpowered and forced to lie next to the petrol pumps at gunpoint. Two of the suspects went into the Elegant Garage and forced the cashier to leave the building.
The cashier joined the two petrol attendants outside at the petrol pumps.
The suspects attempted to blow up the ATM drop safe but were not successful. The suspects fled the building while firing gunshots into the air. A count of contravention of the Explosives Act of South Africa is currently being investigated by the police.
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“No one was injured. No other items were reported as stolen and it seems that the suspects left the convenience store empty handed,” said Dilebo.
Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, provincial commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, has vowed that the suspects will be hunted down and brought to book.
Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, a provincial police spokesperson, urged anyone with information that may assist in apprehending the perpetrators to call the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111 or send information via MYSAPSAPP.
