A major police operation unfolded in and around Vryheid this morning (Thursday) after armed suspects, believed to be linked to the cash-in-transit robbery near Pongola earlier the same morning, allegedly hijacked several vehicles as they attempted to evade arrest.

Multiple vehicles hijacked during escape

According to information available at the time of publication, the suspects hijacked multiple vehicles during their escape, including a police vehicle. During one of the confrontations, the suspects allegedly opened fire on the police vehicle, damaging its engine before driving off with it.

The stolen police vehicle later broke down, forcing the suspects to abandon it and continue their escape in another hijacked vehicle.

Suspects flee into plantations

The suspects eventually abandoned that vehicle and fled on foot into nearby plantations in the Lenjane area, where police and other law enforcement agencies lost track of them for a time despite an extensive search.

Some stolen cash recovered

Some of the cash believed to have been taken during the cash-in-transit robbery was recovered during the operation. However, it had not been confirmed whether all of the stolen money had been recovered.

Pursuit resumes towards Dundee

They were later spotted again, prompting another pursuit in the direction of Dundee. Despite the renewed chase, a reliable source confirmed that the suspects managed to evade police and remained at large at the time of publication.

Heavy police presence across Vryheid

The operation resulted in a heavy police presence in and around Vryheid, with residents reporting hearing gunfire, which caused concern as the events unfolded throughout the day.