11 suspects arrested, explosives and rifles recovered in a foiled attempted cash-in-transit heist!
A high-speed chase, a shoot-out and suspects found hiding in the ceiling of a Safe House is what foiled an attempted cash-in-transit (CIT) heist in Mpumalanga.
During an intelligence driven operation by the Hawks' Tactical Operations Management Section, with assistance from the Insurance Crime Bureau, Crime Intelligence Head Office, SAPS Special Task Force, Gauteng Highway Patrol, Tracker Connect and other industry partners, acted on intelligence on a would-be CIT heist which was about to be executed.
When the multi-disciplinary team arrived at the identified safe house, a shootout ensued whereafter the suspects attempted to flee. Three were found in a caravan in a nearby residence, whilst two others were arrested whilst hiding in the ceiling of the safe house. Four others fled the scene in a Mercedes Benz and a high-speed chase ensued, but they were arrested as they made a bid for their escape.
Different high calibre rifles, firearms, explosives, large quantities of ammunition, stolen and hijacked vehicles were recovered from the scene. The suspects will appear in Court on charges of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit a crime, illegal possession of explosives as well as illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
Congratulations to our investigators, Law Enforcement Agencies and everyone involved in removing these criminals off our streets! This has once again proven the importance of Public Private Partnerships which has resulted in a huge breakthrough in addressing organised crime.
