SUSPECT LINKED TO A FOILED CASH IN TRANSIT HEIST
MPUMALANGA – A 31-year-old suspect is expected to appear before the Mhala Magistrate Court on Monday 5 May 2021. This follows his arrest by members of the Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation in Mpumalanga on Thursday 29 April 2021.
The suspect was allegedly linked to a failed cash in transit heist that happened on Thursday, 01 April 2021. A G4S armoured vehicle was travelling from Dwarsloop to Thulamahashe escorted by the police.
The police vehicle was allegedly rammed by a gold Mercedes accompanied by a silver Subaru. The police returned fire in the ensuing shootout and suspects fled the scene on foot abandoning their getaway vehicles. Along the way, they reportedly hijacked two other vehicles as they fled.
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The two vehicles used in the commission of crime were taken for further investigation, whilst the armoured G4S vehicle proceeded without further attack. One police member was wounded in the gun battle and taken for medical treatment.
A preliminary investigation by the Hawks Serious Organised Crime team revealed that the Subaru was stolen in Brooklyn in December 2020 and the Mercedes Benz had been stolen in Bushbuckridge in February 2021.
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Further probe linked the suspect to other cases including that of car hijacking committed in July 2017. The suspect had been released on bail and a warrant of arrest was issued against him as he absconded a High Court appearance on the hijacking cases.
