ATM bombed at Engen Blockhouse 1 Stop North on R59
Shattered glass, damaged equipment and the lingering smell of smoke greeted staff after suspects detonated an ATM and broke into a safe at the Engen Blockhouse 1-Stop North shortly before 02:00.
KLIPRIVIER – An ATM was blown up in the early hours of Wednesday morning at the Engen Blockhouse 1 Stop North filling station on the R59 northbound.
Ralph Ellis, one of the owners and managing director of Engen Blockhouse 1-Stop, said the explosion occurred at around 01:30 on Wednesday. He has been involved with the filling stations on both sides of the R59 for 27 years.
In addition to the ATM being destroyed, the perpetrators also broke into and damaged a safe inside the premises.
When Vaalweekblad visited the scene later that morning, the extent of the destruction was evident. Windows had been shattered by the force of the blast, computer screens were broken, and debris was scattered throughout the shop. A strong smoky, burnt smell lingered in the air.
Ellis said that in his nearly three decades of involvement at the Blockhouse filling stations, this is approximately the 30th incident in which an ATM has been blown up at the site.
The station has been temporarily closed and is expected to remain shut until the necessary repairs have been completed.
It is suspected that the attack forms part of a syndicate operation targeting ATMs along major transport routes.
According to Sergeant Thomas Ndhambi, spokesperson for the Kliprivier police, a case of business robbery is being investigated. No arrests have yet been made.
