Police officer, soldier among 13 suspects arrested for Westonaria CIT robbery
A group of suspects, aged between 21 and 50 years old, attacked a cash truck and took off with an undisclosed amount of money on the R501 road near the N12 highway on Friday morning.
The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Khehla Sitole has applauded a multidisciplinary team for their swift response which saw thirteen suspects arrested after a Cash In Transit (CIT) robbery committed in Westonaria, Gauteng, on Friday.
The police's Robert Netshiunda says a group of suspects, aged between 21 and 50 years old, attacked a cash truck and took off with an undisclosed amount of money on the R501 road near the N12 highway on Friday morning.
"Police spotted four getaway vehicles driving at high speed along the R501 before splitting into different directions in Carletonville," says Netshiunda.
"A shootout ensued between the suspects and the police which resulted in one officer being injured."
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Netshiunda says police continued searching for the suspects' vehicle and their investigation pointed them to an identified premises on Geranium Street in Carletonville where one of the getaway vehicles was found.
"An undisclosed amount of money was found in the vehicle," says Netshiunda.
The subsequent search of the premises led to the arrest of three men and a woman.
Further investigation led to the arrest of six more suspects.
Preliminary investigations revealed that one of the getaway vehicle's was reportedly hijacked in Elsburg in April 2021.
A Toyota Quantum suspected to be one of the getaway vehicles was spotted and three suspects were arrested in Krugersdorp.
Further investigations led police to a local mechanic where another vehicle, a Hyundai Tuscan which was also used as a getaway vehicle from the scene of the crime was found.
The team then proceeded to Bambatha Street in Kagiso where a drone and a police reflector jacket were found.
"The suspects, among them an off duty police officer and a member of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), will appear in court soon on charges of armed robbbery, attempted murder of a police officer, possession of a hijacked vehicle, possession of suspected stolen property, possession of explosives and possession of dagga among other charges," syas Netshiunda.
Police investigations continue.
The National Commissioner has wished the injured police officer a speedy recovery.
