TWO cash-in-transit suspects have been arrested, while another was shot dead on Wednesday, 27 September, during a shoot-out between cops and the suspects on the M1 before the Booysens off-ramp in Joburg.
The cash-in-transit heist occurred at 5.15pm on Wednesday in Springs, Ekurhuleni when armed suspects forced a cash van to a halt.
This was after security guards had just picked up money from various outlets and were returning to their base when they were disarmed, and the cash van bombed.
The suspects got away with an undisclosed amount of money.
Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said Gauteng police immediately operationalised information and mobilised maximum resources.
She said that vigilant members attached to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) and the Joburg flying squad traced the suspects at 8.20pm on the M1 south just before the Booysens off-ramp and one police officer sustained a gunshot wound and is recovering in hospital while one suspect was shot dead.
“A shoot-out ensued with the suspects travelling in a Toyota Quantum. One suspect was certified dead at the scene while two others were apprehended,” said Mathe.
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Three rifles were recovered, and cash and two cellphones have been seized.
Two empty cash bags and tools used in armed robberies were found in their getaway vehicle.
Acting national police commissioner Lieutenant-General Tebello Mosikili commended the swift reaction by Gauteng police for tracing and arresting the cash-in-transit suspects within three hours of the commission of the crime.
Mosikili said that police remain on high alert and ready to take syndicates.
She added that in the past week, 10 158 suspects were arrested for various crimes ranging from murder and armed robberies, and Operation Shanela continues to register commendable progress. Since its inception on 8 May, 155 970 suspects have been arrested.
A manhunt is underway for the remaining suspects.
Meanwhile, traffic was at standstill on Thursday morning, 28 September and motorists were urged to use alternative routes.
