Kempton Park ATM bombings: Robbers strike again

Police responded to an ATM bombing and robbery at the Engen garage on Parkland Drive in Ester Park, Ekurhuleni, this morning.

According to Sebenza SAPS spokesperson Sergeant Sharon Tsotsotso, the incident occurred shortly before 02:00.

“At the time, the 26-year-old cashier and one other person were inside the convenience store at the Engen garage.

“The cashier heard a knock at the locked doors [and] noticed two men standing at the door,” says Tsotsotso.

She adds that one of the men was holding a rifle and the other was holding a pistol. They instructed the cashier to open the store’s doors.

“When the cashier opened the doors, the two men along with three others entered the store.

“The two victims were told to lie on the ground while explosives were used to gain access to the in-store ATM and drop safe,” she says.

Two fuel attendants locked themselves in an outside kiosk during the ordeal.

“The five suspects fled with an undisclosed amount of money and cigarettes.”

This is the second ATM bombing in the area in two days.

Yesterday, a 28-year-old woman was held hostage while three men bombed an ATM and robbed a petrol station on Zuurfontein Road in Spartan.

According to Tsotsotso, the incident occurred shortly before 01:00.

“The victim was working as a cashier inside the garage when she heard glass breaking.

“Three men entered the store. Two of them were armed with a rifle and a pistol,” says Tsotsotso.

She adds that the men demanded that the victim hand over her cell phone and kept her hostage while blasting open the in-store drop safe and ATM.

“During the incident, a newspaper delivery driver arrived at the scene.

“One of the suspects shot at him damaging the window of his vehicle,” says Tsotsotso.

No injuries were reported.

The suspects fled the scene with three cell phones, cigarettes and an undisclosed amount of money.