Armed gang ties up guard during Ackerville substation cable theft
Intruders forced a restrained security worker to report that everything was fine on his radio while they raided the Baffar Substation.
Vosman police are investigating after seven armed men allegedly held a security guard hostage and stole copper cable from the Buffer Substation in Ackerville.
According to police, the incident occurred at about 23:30 on July 23, when the security guard was on duty conducting routine patrols at the substation.
Police allege that after completing his rounds and returning to the guard room, the guard was confronted by three men.
One of them allegedly pointed a firearm at him while another tied his hands behind his back using his shoelaces.
Forced radio updates
According to police, the suspects then escorted the guard outside the premises, where one armed suspect remained behind to guard him while the others entered the substation.
Police said the security guard was forced to make hourly radio reports between 00:00 and 02:00, falsely reporting that everything was in order to avoid raising suspicion while the suspects allegedly carried out the robbery.
Police further allege that at around 02:00, the remaining robbers returned, bringing the total number to seven.
The group allegedly informed the guard that they had completed their operation before taking him back to the guard room, where they left him restrained.
Supervisors discover guard
The security guard was discovered at about 05:40 when his supervisors arrived and found him lying on the ground with his hands still tied behind his back.
After freeing him, an inspection of the premises allegedly revealed that a hand-held radio, a cellphone and about 10 metres of copper cable had been stolen.
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