ATM bombers strike in Ermelo
Following the Standard Bank ATM bombings at the Midwater Centre in Aerorand, there has been another ATM bombing but this time in Ermelo in which a security guard was shot dead.
According to SAPS Mpumalanga, Police are following all possible leads that could result in the arrest of a group of about five men who fatally shot the security guard and injured another one during an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) blast at around 01:30 at the Oak Centre, Ermelo.
“Information at police disposal revealed that the thugs, who were armed with rifles and handguns, driving in a white Mercedes Benz hatch back went into the shopping centre and blasted the Standard Bank ATM.
The security guards who were on duty managed to escape and summoned assistance from their company who in turn contacted the police,” the SAPS said in a statement.
“Police as well as the response vehicle from the security company rushed to the scene and upon arrival they were welcomed by gunfire. As a result of the gunshots by the suspects, the crew from the security vehicle was fatally wounded while the driver was injured and rushed to hospital for medical treatment.
The thugs managed to flee towards Hendrina with an undisclosed amount of cash”. Police are investigating a possible link to this incident and the one in Middelburg.
• In a separate incident, police have launched a manhunt for another group of about seven men who grinded an ATM at a shopping complex in Matsulu near Nelspruit around midnight.
It is alleged that three of the men accosted security guards at gunpoint, who were on duty at the complex. They forced them to the nearby public toilet where they were kept guard.
Four more suspects carrying a bag joined in and went to the parcel counter and forced their way to the safe of the ATM. They then grinded the ATM and took an undisclosed amount of cash and fled the scene.
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• Meanwhile, Sandra Rodrigues of the Midwater Centre confirmed that the security guard was injured during the ATM bombings last week, has returned to work after being discharged from hospital. “He is on course towards a full recovery,” she said.
• Police urge any person who can assist with information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects to contact Brigadier Obed Ngwenya at 082 565 6417.
