Robbers hijacked a number of vehicles in an attempt to evade police.
A string of hijackings ensued in eMalahleni after a G4S van was robbed in a cash in transit heist (CIT) earlier on Wednesday afternoon, December 7.
The G4S van lies on its side after the driver lost control of the vehicle during the cash in transit heist on Wednesday December 7 along the Kriel-Kinross (R547) road.
A Toyota Etios was the first car hijacked, from Highveld Mall’s underground parking.
A chopper flew overhead in search of the robbers that committed the CIT heist earlier in the afternoon on the road between Ga-Nala and Secunda. The suspects were driving in a white Volkswagen Golf 7 GTI that was reported hijacked roughly two weeks ago in Nelspruit.
The Golf made its way into the underground parking of Highveld Mall where the suspects hijacked the eight-month pregnant Ms Juanita Jacobs. Taking her gold Toyota Etios, they quickly transferred the money from the money bags into the Etios.
Two Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC – forensics) members working on the scene where the Volkswagen Golf 7 GTI was abandoned and the Toyota Etios hijacked.
One of the suspects broke the boom gate ahead of the suspects’ getaway.
The suspects in the Etios drove up Mandela Street and turned into Saveways Crescent Shopping Centre’s parking lot. They then headed down towards the OR Tambo exit where they held Mr Daniel Mohlala at gunpoint robbing him of R1 000, and a bottle of whiskey he had just purchased. They again offloaded the money this time from the Etios into his red Range Rover Evoque and drove off out the OR Tambo exit.
The second car to be hijacked was a Range Rover Evoque, this time at Saveways Crescent.
A BMW X5 was the third car to be hijacked in the CBD.
Their next stop in attempts to evade police pursuit saw them head in the direction of the Central Business District (CBD) where they hijacked a white BMW X5 leaving behind the Evoque. They then headed to Allenby Street where they waved down a man driving a white Toyota Avanza and hijacked his vehicle only to abandon it in Main Street in the CBD.
From there on the hijackers’ trails ran cold. Prior to the hijackings a G4S van was reported to have been robbed while along the Kriel-Kinross (R547) road. The suspects were reported to have driven the Golf up alongside the van when they opened fire on the van and the driver using R5-assault rifles.
The driver was allegedly shot in the arm just above the elbow, one of the front tyres of the van was shot out which in turn caused the van to topple over onto its side.
A Toyota Avanze was hijacked in Allenby Street, it was the fourth vehicle to be hijacked.
A gunfight broke out between the suspects and the G4S guards.
An undisclosed amount of money was stolen from the van and loaded into the Golf. The suspects then fled the scene in the direction of eMalahleni.
Camo’s were removed from the Toyota Etios after it was found abandoned in the parking of Saveways Crescent.
Gloves were removed from the Volkswagen Golf 7 GTI.
“G4S Cash Solutions can confirm that one of its armoured vehicles came under attack while driving between Ga-Nala and Matlala on Wednesday, December 7.The suspects, driving a white VW Polo opened fire on the vehicle, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle which resulted in it overturning. The suspects bombed the on-board safes and stole an undisclosed amount of money. During the incident, the driver sustained a gunshot wound and is being treated in hospital for his injuries. He is in a stable condition. The crew sustained minor injuries during the attack and is also in a stable condition,” said Ms Wendy Harding, G4S spokesperson.
Hijackers left the key to the Volkswagen Golf 7 GTI in the ignition, along with a screwdriver and gloves in the centre console.
An info-graphic showing the four hijackings.
Ms Sandra van der Walt, Highveld Mall general manager said in a statement:
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the unfortunate victim of a car-jacking which was part of a much bigger CIT robbery that had taken place earlier on the Kriel-Kinross road. We thank the Hawks and the Fidelity Security team for their swift action in securing the scene and we wish Juanita and Sarel a speedy recovery from this traumatic experience.”
Anybody with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact the local SAPS.
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