Cash-in-transit robbers caught
2006-04-22 08:40
Johannesburg - Mpumalanga police arrested 17 suspected cash-in-transit robbers following a shootout near Standerton in the early hours of Saturday morning, spokesperson superintendent Abie Khoabane said.
He said, following on a tip-off, members of the serious and violent crimes and the national intervention units pulled over a vehicle travelling between Perdekop and Standerton, when the occupants opened fire on them.
"Police returned fire and wounded one suspect and arrested two others. About two and half kilometres from the scene police arrested 14 other suspects. Three other suspects escaped on foot and police believe they might have been wounded," Khoabane said.
He said police seized four vehicles -- a Mercedes Benz, BMW, Mazda3 and a Toyota Venture -- believed to have been used in other crimes. Police also confiscated a number of firearms, including an AK-47 assault rifle.
Khoabane said members of the public should not try to apprehend the fleeing suspects as they were considered extremely dangerous and armed, but rather contact the police on the national toll-free number 086-001-0111 or call superintendent Arie de Beer on 082-556-5633.
- SAPA