Police have been commended for intercepting alleged Cash-In-Transit (CIT) robbers in Booysens, Johannesburg just three hours after they had committed the crime in Springs, Ekurhuleni. The heist is said to have taken place at 17:15 on Wednesday in Springs after armed suspects forced a cash van to come to a halt. 

SWIFT RESPONSE

SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said information suggests that security guards had just picked up money from various outlets and were on their way back to their base when they were disarmed and their cash van bombed. "Suspects got away with an undisclosed amount of money. Gauteng police immediately operationalised information and mobilised maximum resources. Vigilant members attached to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) and the Johannesburg Flying Squad traced the suspects at 20:20 on the M1 south just before the Booysens off-ramp," she said.

SHOOT OUT

Mathe said a shoot out ensued between the police and suspects who were travelling in a Toyota Quantum. "One suspect was certified dead at the scene while two others were apprehended, meanwhile an officer was also shot and injured but is recovering in hospital. Three rifles were recovered, cash and two cellphones have been seized. Two empty cash bags, as well as implements used in armed robberies were found in their getaway vehicle," she said. Mathe said the police have launched a manhunt for the remaining suspects. The Acting National Commissioner of the SAPS, Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili, said the police remain on high alert and ready to take down syndicates. "Well done to the team for the swift reaction, we continue to deal decisively with serious and violent crime in various provinces, we continue to take down syndicates and groups involved in these crimes, either they surrender, or we will continue to hunt and take them down. A speedy recovery to our member who is in hospital," he said.