Thieves crack Standard Bank ATM

Thieves made off with R191 000 in cash from the Standard Bank ATM at Scott Street Mall on Friday, August 21.

Around 4.30am, the suspects allegedly picked the exterior door lock, then proceeded to grind open the safe inside to extract the cash.

“It was as if they had the keys,” said a witness. “There was hardly a scratch on the outer door.”

The nearby ABSA ATM was also targeted, as its outer door was found unlocked following the incident. However, nothing was reported stolen from the ATM.

The security guard on duty, from Magenta Security, was held at gunpoint, restrained with cable ties and dumped near the river on Sutherland Street. He managed to drag himself up the embankment, and was found on the roadside by Mark Jacobs of Two Eagles Security while on patrol.

A pair of radios, his cellphone, and a set of keys for the centre were stolen from his possession.

Meanwhile, the security company had sent out a response team to find out why the guard missed his hourly check in. “He was seriously shaken up by the incident. Fortunately, he sustained no injuries,” said owner, Jan Van Rensburg.

The number of suspects involved in the incident are unknown at present. A police investigation has been launched.

“These kinds of incidents concern us deeply; we will be cooperating fully with the SAPS to solve this case,” said Standard Bank Media Liaison, Erik Larsen.

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