Mid Alarms has launched an investigation after an armed robbery took place at J&L Lining and Construction on Wednesday night.

According to James de Wet, one of the directors at J&L Lining and Construction, five robbers made off with expensive tools and equipment after loading the loot into a truck.

Mr De Wet explained that the night-shift crew were having tea at 21:20 when five suspects arrived in a truck and a VW Polo. Two of the suspects were armed with 9mm pistols.
The robbers proceeded to accost 10 employees, then tied them up with their own shoelaces and left them in the tea room.

The suspects then went into the workshop, where they started stealing the firm’s expensive equipment.

“From what we could see on the video footage, the robbers pulled their truck closer then untied three of our employees, one being a forklift operator, to assist the suspects in loading their loot.”

The robbers stole a compressor, a variety of grinders, including pencil grinders, and CO2 welding machines, among other things.
“The estimated financial damages amounts to between R500 000 to R800 000,” Mr De Wet said.

The suspects then proceeded to retie the three employees before leaving in the truck and the Polo.

“One of the employees then managed to wriggle free and call for help.”

Mr De Wet expressed relief that none of the personnel were injured in the robbery.

He added that Mid Alarms will be conducting a thorough investigation into the robbery.

Johan Oberholzer, the Operational manager at Mid Alarms, will provide the Middelburg Observer with footage of the robbery at a later stage in the hopes of identifying the suspects.

Should anyone have any information that could assist in the investigation, they are urged to please call Johan on 072 150 6089.