Know thy neighbours? Foiled gold heist ends in deadly suburb shootout
Police foiled a heist involving the transportation of gold that led to a shootout. One person was killed and several others were arrested.
A man was shot and killed by police while several arrests were made in a foiled heist in Aureus on February 19.
The Randfontein police along with many other crime intelligence units monitored a group of criminals who were planning to execute a heist that eventually led to a shootout between them and the police.
West Rand District Police Commissioner Major General Fred Kekana confirmed that they have been tracking the group of criminals since 04:00 who planned to rob a vehicle transporting gold.
“This group of criminals retreated to 40 Fiat Street, Aureus to draft a final plan to execute the heist. They were unaware that the police were behind them all along,” Kekana said.
He further stated that only when the criminals arrived at the said address did they notice police were following them.
Kekana added that the first car that drove in was a Toyota Hilux double cab bakkie. One of the drivers inside the bakkie had a R5 Rifle and started shooting towards police, striking a police vehicle on the scene.
“Unfortunately, the criminals managed to shoot one of our officers in the hand as well. The officer is currently in the hospital receiving medical assistance. He is very stable. The bullet needs to be removed from his hand,” Kekana explained.
Kekana also mentioned that during the ordeal police had to retaliate which resulted in the killing of one of the criminals.
Kekana then continued by confirming that one of the persons involved in the matter was arrested. The suspect is a 58-year-old man. According to Kekana, the man was previously arrested in 2008 for the same offence but was released on parole in 2022. The suspect went on to live with his sister in Thembisa. While police profiled the suspect they realised that he was linked to three other CIT heists on the West Rand.
The police have since arrested three suspects in total.
Another five suspects managed to jump over the wall and escape police custody.
“We found a R5 Rifle with 150 live rounds of ammunition and three magazines which means that the criminals meant to retaliate if necessary. The police also proceeded to follow other cars that managed to get away. We got a Volkswagen Polo in Mohlakeng while arresting two suspects. One of the suspects was shot but not seriously injured. The forensics are still processing that scene. The serial numbers of the rifles have been filed off,” Kekana stated.
A Mercedes-Benz E200 was also in pursuit before being dumped by the criminals. Kekana clarified that these types of vehicles are normally used to ram into cash-in-transit/ targeted vehicles.
It was confirmed that three vehicles, a Toyota Tazz, a Golf 1 and a BMW M3 were recovered on the premises in Fiat Street. According to Kekana, the property belongs to someone known to them. The police are appealing to anyone to come forward for questioning to assist in the investigation.
“The best thing the suspects can do is to hand themselves over because they know that we know who they are. There is no place to hide. Some of the suspects on the run are charged with previous crimes and are currently on bail for the same offence of the heist,” Kekana claimed.
The police appeal to the community not to try and apprehend the suspects if they see them since it might put community members’ lives in danger. The police ask the community to inform them if the suspects are located.
“We will deal with these criminals. They have no space here. We will get them.”
