Shortly after 6.20pm yesterday, 16 February, a Fidelity armoured vehicle that had collected money from a local store was travelling along Albertina Sisulu Road in Hamberg, when it was attacked.
According to National Police spokesperson, Colonel Brenda Muridili, three vehicles approached the Fidelity van and the occupants opened fire, continuing to shoot until it came to a halt. An unknown number of attackers then used explosives to bomb the armoured vehicle. Reports from Luqmaan Rahim, founder of ICE Community Policing in Florida, suggest that the attack was carried out on two Fidelity vans, one of which was bombed, while the second van allegedly managed to get away and hide on a nearby premises.
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Witnesses describe hearing what sounded like a war zone; several shots were fired followed by the sound of the bomb being detonated. Scattered debris covered a large section of the road, leading to Florida Police blocking off approximately 500 metres of the road from Laerskool Die Ruiter Primary eastwards past the former Richmond Hotel.
ER24 found the Fidelity van on its side with one of the security guards lying a few metres away from it. ER24 further confirmed that the security guard who had been driving the vehicle sustained a gunshot wound to his head, leaving him in serious condition. Paramedics did all they could to stabilise the guard before transporting him to Life Flora Hospital. The second Fidelity guard had sustained minor injuries and was transported to hospital by ambulance for further care a short while later.
Colonel Muridili confirmed that the suspects set one of their vehicles on fire, leaving it burnt beyond recognition, before they managed to flee the scene in the second vehicle with an undisclosed amount of money, leaving behind their third car, a white Ford ST.
Reports suggest that two of the robbers fled the scene on foot, running along the Hamberg Dam wall. On-scene police pursued the suspects on foot while a helicopter flew overhead looking for them.
Local authorities were on scene well into the night, looking for evidence in the cars, on the road, and around the scene. Questions have been sent to Fidelity to enquire about the condition of the injured security guard. As soon as a response on this or any other information relating to the incident is received, an update will be published.
Colonel Muridili concluded her statement by urging anyone who may have information on this heist to call Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or send tip-offs via the My SAPS app.
