By Anita Dangazele
Five suspects involved in a cash-in-transit heist on the N6 between East London and Stutterheim were shot dead by police 11 hours after the robbery.
Early on Monday, the group of robbers forced an SBV armoured cash vehicle off the road, causing it to overturn.
There was a shootout between the security guards and the robbers before the robbers bombed the vehicle and escaped with cash.
Hawks provincial spokesperson Captain Yolisa Mgolodela said the tactical response unit found the suspects at a house in Kom, Keiskammahoek.
The suspects started shooting at the police with rifles.
“The police fired back and killed five suspects. Money was found in original money bags,” Mgolodela said.
Police received word that the heist suspects had been hiding in a house in Kom. As they were heading there, a car came speeding out of Kom, going towards Cradock.
“The vehicle was shot at, the driver lost control, and three suspects were arrested with an undisclosed amount of money. They were arrested on the spot. Firearms and cash were seized,” Mgolodela said.
When police then proceeded to the house in question, they were fired on by the heist suspects, returned fire, and all five were killed.
Eastern Cape transport and community safety MEC Xolile Nqatha praised the police for “safeguarding the rule of law” and not giving in to criminals.
Pictured above: Police lights.
Source: File
