Armed robbery at Arcon Park Shopping Centre
The suspects are alleged to have fled with about R480 000 in cash, as well as several firearms that they had stolen.
VEREENIGING. – The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Gauteng have launched a manhunt for a group of suspects that were involved in an armed robbery at the Arcon Park Shopping Centre in Vereeniging on 15th March.
Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk, a spokesperson for the Vereeniging Police, told Vaalweekblad that according to a preliminary report, the crew of a cash management company were in the process of delivering and offloading cash to an ATM facility when they were accosted by armed suspects.
“The suspects robbed the cash van guards of their firearms, a rifle and a handgun, ammunition and an undisclosed amount of money before they fled the scene in a white Audi Q3,” van Wyk told Vaalweekblad.
Investigations are underway to trace and arrest the suspects.
Commenting on the incident, Wahl Bartmann, CEO of the Fidelity Services Group, says the cash vehicle arrived at the client’s premises at Arcon Park Shopping Centre at around 11:45 for a routine replenishment of cash at one of the ATMs.
“When the crewman was retrieving the cash cannister his second crewman was accosted by an armed gunman. Two additional suspects then overpowered the crewman with the cash cannister and made off in a white Audi Q5,” Bartmann said.
Bartmann confirmed it was not a cash heist but rather a cross-pavement robbery where the suspects made off with the Cross-Pavement Carrier (CPC). “Fortunately, there were no injuries to any of our Officers or any bystanders,” he says and confirmed Fidelity was working with the SAPS to follow up on any leads.
The total amount that was stolen has not yet been confirmed, although Vaalweekblad received information that amounts to about R480 000.
The Fidelity Services Group declined to comment on the amount or the specific firearms that were stolen.
Vaalweekblad also sent inquiries via email to the Arcon Park Shopping Centre. We have not yet received any feedback yet.
Anyone with information that may assist in the investigation is urged to contact their nearest police station. Members of the public can also use the SAPS’s Crime Stop number on 08600 10111 or alternatively leave an anonymous tip-off on the MySAPS App.
