South Africa: Two out of three Cash In Transit robbers were arrested by members of Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) this morning (Saturday).
The arrests followed a sequence of events, which started with a Cash In Transit robbery on Ireland Street in the Verulam CBD – KZN at approximately 09:18. The robbers fled on foot with a cash box. They then hijacked a champagne coloured Toyota Corolla and sped off.
While travelling on Wick Street, the getaway vehicle struck a 57 year old pedestrian. The robbers continued driving and collided with a white Toyota Hiace at the Wick & Ireland Street intersection. The taxi plummeted several meters down an embankment.
Witnesses contacted RUSA after they noticed armed suspects exiting the Toyota Corolla and hijacking a black VW Golf which fled on the M27 in the direction of Waterloo – KZN.
Reaction Officers converged on the initial scene where the money box was recovered (picture 9). An extensive search spanning two and a half hours was then launched for the suspects. RUSA Members spotted the black VW Golf stationary near the Waterloo Phase 6 entrance. Two suspects alighted from the vehicle and fled in different directions.
Officers split up and requested additional backup. The first suspect was apprehended after a search of the sugar cane plantation approximately 5 kilometres from the initial scene. The second suspect fled through a bush and attempted to evade arrest while fleeing through properties.
A RUSA Member observed the robber’s movements from an elevated position and directed other Officers to his location via two way radio. The suspect was thereafter located hiding in a bush. Both robbers are Mozambican nationals. They were placed under arrest and detained at SAPS Verulam.
The third suspect and the black VW Golf are still being sought.