Gang robs Cape cash depot, millions stolen
2011-08-02 20:37
Johannesburg - An armed gang has stolen millions of rand in cash destined for banks from a security company in Brackenfell, Cape Town, the Hawks said on Tuesday.
"A gang of eight men arrived in a white Ford Bantam bakkie on Monday afternoon with a brown box claiming they were on the premises to deliver vehicle parts," said Hawks' spokesperson Mcintosh Polela.
When a staff member opened the outer gate, one of the robbers produced a firearm and forced him to open the inner gate, he said.
They were followed inside by more robbers in a Toyota Quantum minibus.
"The armed men forced their way into the armory. They attempted to shut down the CCTV cameras. They wore balaclavas and hand gloves," Polela said.
They got into the main vault, opened a safe door leading to the loading bay and loaded bags full of cash into their vehicles and an employee's Opel Astra, he said.
The robbers held up eight of the security company's employees, assaulted one of them, and stole their cellphones. They also stole a staff member's gun.
"After the incident, two of the employees managed to untie themselves and activated the panic alarm," said Polela.
He said the bakkie was later found abandoned in a nearby field. Two bags of money were recovered. The Opel was found in Mitchells Plain.
"The money that was stolen was destined for Absa bank, FNB bank and All Pay," said Polela.
"The exact amount of money that was taken was not known, but it was estimated to be several millions rands," he said.
- SAPA
