Four suspects have been arrested following an armed robbery at a Sinoville filling station that escalated into a gunfight, high-speed pursuit, and tactical raid on a suspected safehouse.
The incident came after a ProShield Security client activated its panic alarm while the robbery was in progress.
ProShield Armed Response members were dispatched to the filling station but were met with gunfire from the suspects.
The company’s tactical unit was activated, with support requested from SAPS and other operational role players.
During the response, members identified a vehicle allegedly linked to the robbery, triggering a high-speed pursuit.
Mark Surgeon of ProShield claimed the suspects fired shots from the vehicle during the chase, with security members returning fire before the vehicle crashed on the R566 towards Rosslyn.
One suspect was detained at the scene, while three others fled on foot.
“Information obtained from the detained suspect helped the operational team identify a suspected safehouse linked to the robbery.
“A tactical operation was launched at the property, where members were again met with heavy gunfire from suspects allegedly armed with rifles and pistols,” said Surgeon.
Surgeon said three additional suspects were arrested and two vehicles believed to have been used in the robbery were recovered.
Inside the property, members found the ATM and drop safe allegedly taken during the robbery. Both were recovered undamaged.
An R5 rifle, ammunition, an additional magazine, gloves, balaclavas, clothing, false registration plates, and an undisclosed amount of cash were also recovered.
“The successful outcome demonstrates the importance of rapid response, communication, intelligence sharing, and co-operation between private security and law enforcement agencies when dealing with serious and violent criminal activity,” said Surgeon.
He said the Sinoville operation was not the only recent success reported by ProShield.
Surgeon said a separate ProShield client in Doornpoort activated her panic alarm after allegedly being tied up and held inside her home for four to five hours during a house robbery.
The suspects reportedly stole two televisions, a PlayStation, a laptop, cellphone and other household belongings.
ProShield reaction officers responded, and Tactical Units were deployed.
Surgeon stated that information from Echo One Security about a white Toyota Hilux allegedly linked to house robberies led to a joint operation involving ProShield Security, Echo One Security, Silverton SAPS, SAPS Bronkhorstspruit K9, GAC Security and Bidvest Protea Coin Air Wing.
A first raid resulted in one suspect being found and suspected stolen property being recovered, although the items were later found not to belong to the Doornpoort victim.
Further intelligence led the team to a second location in Nelmapius, where two additional suspects were identified and stolen property was found.
The investigation then led officers to a third property, where the two reportedly televisions stolen from the Doornpoort residence were recovered.
Three suspects were detained, while the suspected vehicle was secured and the recovered property was taken for processing.
Surgeon said the two operations demonstrated the value of intelligence sharing, rapid response, and co-operation between security companies and SAPS.
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