Armed robbers stole three firearms belonging to G4S security guards and an undisclosed amount of money during a cash-in-transit heist in Soweto on Tuesday morning.
The incident took place at the corner of Tema and Nicolas Street in Orlando East at around 11am. The cash van was driving from Bara Mall towards Orlando East when the guards were attacked by an unknown number of suspects who brought their vehicle to a standstill.
Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Netshiunda, the Gauteng police spokesperson said the suspects waylaid the cash van and robbed the security guards of their weapons. “No shots were fired, however the driver sustained head injures after he was hit with the butt of the firearm by the suspects,” Netshiunda added.
He added that the suspects fled with an undisclosed amount of money. Gauteng police could not divulge the modus operandi used in the robbery. It is alleged that this was not the first cash-in-transit heist in the area.
No arrests have been made and police have launched a manhunt for the suspects.
An eyewitness, who claimed to have seen the robbers escape said there were five cars involved in the robbery, adding that these cars came from different directions as the shot were being fired.
“A white Mercedes-Benz came from behind and had four men inside and sped away after everything had been done. The police came just after they had gone. One of the police vans came just after the robbers had fled. They (the police) were just a few seconds too late,” he said.
Anyone with information that could help lead to the arrest and successful conviction of the suspects is urged to contact the nearest police station or call the Crime Stop number 08600 10111.
Source: News24, The Citizen, Eyewitness News, IOL, Jacaranda FM, image from Twitter