UPDATE: 8pm
Police have issued updated information that the incident (see the report below) occurred at 1.50 pm rather than later as had originally been stated.
“A case of Armed Robbery will be opened,” said Cpt Elizabeth Squires of Westville SAPS.
Original report
REPORTS from security personnel and crime watch groups on Friday afternoon (15 November) have been received by the Highway Mail about a bank robbery in which it is estimated that more than R100 000 was taken by suspects using two vehicles.
The Highway Mail has reliably learned that a BOLO (be on the lookout) notice was issued among many of the security fraternity in Westville and Pinetown for two vehicles believed to have been used by the alleged robbers.
The first reports asked that people be on the lookout for a white Audi A5 without number plates in which the suspects had fled in the direction of Pinetown.
ALSO READ: Girl (12) held at gunpoint in Pinetown home invasion
Later reports from sources said there was a second vehicle involved in the robbery, a white Mercedes with a partial registration number beginning with ND 151.
Blue Security’s Andreas Mathios confirmed the incident had taken place and shots had been fired during the robbery.
Cpt Elizabeth Squires of Westville SAPS was also able to offer confirmation that the incident was not a cash in transit (CIT) heist as some had been speculating on various crime-related traffic and WhatsApp groups.
Squires said the man had just withdrawn a large sum of money from a bank in Westville central when he was accosted.
“A White Audi A4 pulled up, two armed men alighted the vehicle and fired shots towards the victim, who then dropped the money bag,” Squires said.
Squires added that the alleged suspects then fled the scene in their Audi.
“The victim’s vehicle has numerous bullet holes, but there were no injuries,” said Squires, adding that detectives from Westville SAPS were still on the scene when she spoke to the Highway Mail late on Friday afternoon.
ALSO READ: 4 accused in Westville mum’s kidnapping face 6 charges in closed court
This is a developing story. The Highway Mail will update as we receive confirmed information.
Do you want to receive alerts regarding this and other Highway community news via Telegram? Send us a Telegram message (not an SMS) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5409.
You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Telegram number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts.
Here’s where you can download Telegram on Android or Apple.
