UPDATE: ATM bomber traced, arrested

A man has been arrested after he was linked to an ATM bombing on Rossouw Street, in the east of Pretoria.

Five men, travelling in five cars, targeted the ATM at a Total garage shop at about 10pm last week Tuesday, Rekord East reported.

Garsfontein police spokesperson Captain Ilze Jones said police confirmed the arrest.

She said further information on the case would be withheld, as it posed a threat to the investigation.

READ MORE: ATM bombed in Pretoria East

“We are investigating the case and do not want to inform or notify perpetrators on the extent of our investigation.”

Jones said one of the vehicles, a silver Polo Sedan, was found with marked cash and a balaclava in Mamelodi shortly after the bombing.

“One of the police tracing teams found and arrested a man.”

Jones rebuked claims that a man’s face had been blown up during the attack.

She said the claims, made by an unnamed source in reports, were false and misleading.

“We [police] only confirmed one of the attackers was injured during the explosion and never provided details of the extent of injuries.”

She said it was important for reporters to communicate correct and corroborated facts.

The other four men were still at large.

A gang forced Total filling station employees to the floor at gunpoint last week.

Jones said video footage showed one of the men sustained wounds to his upper body after the explosion.

She said the group planted explosives, which detonated.

“One Total staff member was reportedly injured in an attempt to escape.”

– Caxton News Service

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