UPDATE: 7 March 2018
Following the cash-in-transit heist where one suspect was shot dead, security companies say the number of these incidents is unacceptably high.
Fidelity Security Group CEO Wahl Bartmann said police intervention is desperately needed.
“We have seen a 30% increase this year and the nature of the crimes has become increasingly violent with a ‘shoot to kill’ mentality with no concern for human life.”
According to Stuart Clarkson, Fidelity ADT Managing Executive, the company was first on the scene and all reaction officers who responded escaped unharmed.
UPDATE: 6.40pm Police hot on the heels of suspected cash-in-transit robbers
Gauteng police have released a statement following a fatal shootout with several armed robbers in Ferndale.
The Randburg Sun earlier reported that four heavily armed suspects entered Randburg Coin, a diamond and coin dealer at Netwater Place in Oak Avenue and opened fire within the business premises.
The report went on to say that one suspect had been killed and the rest were at large.
However, it has since emerged that the suspects robbed a security truck of an undisclosed amount of cash and other goods in the West Rand.
Police say a shootout then ensued between security personnel escorting the truck and the heavily armed robbers.
“Police recovered a total of three high calibre firearms, two magazines with live ammunition, as well as three vehicles suspected to have been used in the commission of the crime,” reads the statement.
When apprehended, suspects will face charges of cash-in-transit robbery, armed robbery, attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition and carjacking.
All suspects are still at large.
“Police are appealing to members of the public to assist with information on the identity or whereabouts of the suspects by reporting to their nearest police station.
The suspects are heavily armed and therefore very dangerous, so people should not confront them but rather report to the police.”
Details: Crime Stop 08600 10111
UPDATE: 15:30
Following this morning’s incident, a number of roads remain closed. Please use alternative routes to avoid traffic.
READ HERE: #RandburgShooting: Roads remain closed following an attempted cash-in-transit heist in Ferndale
UPDATE: 14:25
Linden police have confirmed that an attempted cash-in-transit heist on Oak Avenue has resulted in the death of a suspect.
According to Constable Takalani Matumba, about 20 suspects are alleged to have been involved in the crime.
She said, of the 20, four who were armed with rifles and a pistol entered Randburg Coin, a diamond and coin dealer at Netwater Place.
It is alleged that the suspects opened fire inside the business complex while the rest waited outside the business premises.
Matumba said suspects outside proceeded to block the security vehicle and fired shots.
“Police officers and security personnel who were on the scene were unharmed. However, one suspect was shot and killed by the security and the rest got away.”
PLEASE NOTE: Some of the roads remain closed. These include Oak Avenue, Grove Street, Cross Street up to Kent Avenue and Republic Road to Kent Avenue.
UPDATE: 12:39
Further details have revealed that four vehicles were involved in the attempted cash-in-transit heist.
An eyewitness confirmed that a Toyota Fortuner, a white BMW, a white VW caddy and a white Ford Fiesta ST were all involved.
Another eyewitness, Shawn Gerhadus Greyling, who drove past the scene shortly after the incident confirmed that several roads had been closed to traffic.
“It looked as though the Ford Fiesta STI had clipped a grey Toyota Corolla. Both cars were left vacant on the scene. Oak Avenue, towards Republic Road, as well as George Street were closed off,” said Greyling.
According to ER24, the male suspect in his 30s who sustained head injuries died at the scene.
” The armed robbers abandoned two of the vehicles they were travelling in, in close proximity to the scene leaving the deceased suspect in one of the cars before hijacking another vehicle and fleeing the scene,” said Tebogo Magoro, Netcare 911’s Communication Officer.
The female driver of the hijacked vehicle escaped unharmed.
More to follow.
ORIGINAL STORY: 12.30
Attempted cash in transit robbery left three suspects injured on the corner of Kent Avenue and Grove Street in Ferndale.
The transit vehicle was dropping off an undisclosed amount of cash when it was ambushed by the suspects.
https://youtu.be/rx8JrL-j_SY
According to an eyewitness, Fidelity ADT was first on the scene and a shootout ensued.
One suspect sustained serious injuries to the head and it remains unclear if the others were injured.
This is a developing story.
More details to be published as they become available.
