Two cash heists in PE within hour
Gunmen seize money, firearms from guards in Sidwell and Cleary Park
TWO cash-in-transit heists took place an hour apart in Port Elizabeth yesterday – possibly by the same gang. No shots were fired in either of the robberies, but the robbers escaped with an undisclosed amount of money and three firearms taken from security guards.
By late yesterday, police could still not say whether the incidents were linked, but said this would form part of their investigations.
Police spokeswoman Colonel Priscilla Naidu said the first heist happened at Kentucky Fried Chicken in Commercial Road, Sidwell, at about 11am.
“It is alleged that security guards from Fidelity Security Service were at the fast food outlet when they were attacked by a group of robbers,” she said.
While one of the guards was busy with an employee in the office, another was confronted by two armed men.
“The guard was assaulted and forced to lie on the floor. His firearm was also taken before the two robbers grabbed the money bag and ran out,” she said.
“During the escape, another security official was held up by three other men while standing outside the premises.
“The guard was forced into the shop by the three gunmen and also instructed to lie on the floor. His firearm was also stolen.”
Naidu said the five gunmen fled in a white vehicle with the money and two security guards’ firearms.
According to officials on the scene, the guards were doing both a pick-up and drop-off of money.
Naidu said the amount of money stolen was unknown at this stage.
Due to the robbery happening inside the KFC outlet, it was classified as a business robbery – despite the cash-in-transit security guards being targeted.
Within an hour of the heist, by noon, a G4S cash-intransit guard was ambushed by four robbers in the Cleary Park Shopping Centre during a pick-up.
Officials said the guard was doing cash collections from various shops in the centre when he was ambushed.
“The guard had been to three different shops in the centre and was nearing the exit of the building.
“The armoured van was parked outside and waiting for him,” Naidu said.
“As he walked towards the exit, four men ambushed him. One placed a gun to the back of his head forcing him to lie on the ground.
“The four suspects stole his firearm as well as a money box before running out of the centre.
“The gang sped off in a bakkie towards Bethelsdorp.”
Within 10 minutes, police had found the bakkie abandoned in Brunia Place in West End, Bethelsdorp, with the keys in the ignition.
The bakkie had been reported stolen in Ikamvelihle, Motherwell, last month.
By late yesterday afternoon, the Cleary Park Shopping Centre case had been taken over by the Hawks.