A large-scale manhunt has been launched by police after a group of armed suspects staged a violent cash-in-transit (CIT) heist, forcing vehicles off the road and using explosives to steal an undisclosed amount of money.
The attack occurred early Saturday morning, November 30 along the R510 road near Sandfontein village outside Mogwase, Rustenburg.
According to reports, a silver Mercedes-Benz rammed into a security van carrying three officers, forcing it to a halt. Armed suspects, described as wearing balaclavas, then opened fire on the escort bakkie accompanying the cash van, bringing it to a stop as well.
“All security officers were forced out of their vehicles at gunpoint and robbed of their firearms that included three rifles and four handguns,” said police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone.
Explosives were then used to blow open the cash van, allowing the suspects to make off with an undisclosed amount of money.
The suspects abandoned and set fire to both the Mercedes-Benz and the cash van before fleeing the scene in a convoy of getaway vehicles, including a white Volkswagen Polo, a white Toyota Fortuner, a white Toyota Hilux double cab, and a blue Ford Ranger double cab.
One of the escort vehicle’s crew members sustained injuries and was rushed to the hospital.
“It is not clear at this stage what caused his injuries,” said Mokgwabone.
No arrests have been made, and the identities of the suspects remain unknown. The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), commonly known as the Hawks, is leading the investigation into the incident.
IOL