The year has barely started, but crime doesn’t take a break…
Wednesday last week, a cash-in-transit heist took place on the R33 close to Paulpietersburg. The van was forced to a stop and bombed by approximately 12 suspects travelling in four vehicles. Money had been collected at 18 different points in Pongola and Piet Retief.
En-route from Piet Retief, the van was ambushed while taking a detour through the industrial area of Paulpietersburg due to road-works. The criminals shot out the van’s tyres to bring it to a standstill. Once stopped, the three guards were forced out of the vehicle. The back of the van was bombed twice before the men managed to gain access to the money. The security guards’ firearms were taken as well.
Another road-user accidently collided with one of the suspects’ vehicles that blocked the road. The civilian tried to flee the scene, but was shot in the leg. He was taken to a local clinic for treatment. According to bystanders, they could not identify the robbers since they were wearing balaclavas at the time of the heist.
Local community members allegedly compromised the scene, looting the leftover cash and coins before police arrived. An undisclosed amount of money was taken.
A police investigation is ongoing.

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The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area.