This morning, 30 October, when the cash-in-transit heist occurred, security guards were doing their rounds and loading cash at ATMs, according to the police.
Approximately 12 robbers in four different vehicles – a black BMW, black Mercedes-Benz, white Ford Ranger, and a white Audi Q5), opened fire on the CIT vehicle with pistols and rifles. The armoured vehicle then came to a stop at the intersection of Gordon and Ontdekkers Roads where the robbers instructed the guards to lie down.
Colonel Brenda Muridili, National Police spokesperson said the robbers allegedly used explosives to bomb the vehicle before making off with an undisclosed amount of cash.
A First Help tow truck driver who was extremely well-known in the Roodepoort community was parked in his usual spot on 14th Avenue when he noticed the commotion. Muridili stated that the driver of the First Help vehicle gave chase, and shots were fired during the pursuit.
ER24 arrived on 14th Avenue to find that the driver had sustained a fatal gunshot wound to his chest, and he was subsequently declared dead. His family has been notified of the incident. ER24 communications official, Russel Meiring, further confirmed that they attended to minor soft tissue injuries that one of the guards had sustained before transporting him to a local hospital for further care.
Muridili further stated that a rifle was taken from one of the G4S security guards during the robbery and was found abandoned on Hendrik Potgieter Road, approximately 1km from the scene, shortly after the incident.
The Colonel concluded by saying that relevant role players attended the scene, and that the police are appealing to anyone with information on the whereabouts of the suspects to call Crime Stop on 086 00 10111 or send a tip-off using the My SAPS app.
The Record has contacted G4S who have said that a statement is being prepared. An update will be done as soon as the statement has been received.
