Three suspects aged between 21 and 45 were arrested during a foiled ATM bombing in one of the banks at Jane Furse shopping complex. The suspects were arrested following a car chase in Middelburg after a tip-off that the gang was planning an attack in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team assisted by Tactical Response Team members received intelligence about a plot. The team kept the area under surveillance. Suddenly, there was an explosion sound coming from one of the banks at the shopping complex and a group of heavily armed suspects was spotted running away and the police gave chase.
Seeing that they were being chased, the suspects opened fire at the police and they retaliated. The team pursued the suspects until their gateway vehicle crashed into a wall in Middelburg, Mpumalanga.
The three suspects were arrested and the joint team managed to seize explosives, one firearm and a Toyota Fortuner. One of the suspects is under police guard in the hospital after sustaining injuries during the shootout.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects ambushed and held the security guards hostage at the shopping complex before blasting 5 ATMs with explosives. No money was taken during the act.
The two suspects will appear in the Jane Furse Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday to face charges relating to armed robbery, maliciously damaged to property, possession of explosives and possession of a firearm.
The third suspect will be hauled to the same court once he has recuperated from his injuries.
We appeal to anyone with any information that can assist the investigation to contact Colonel Batseba Ratshefola on 071 481 3237, alternatively to contact the SAPS Crime Stop number 086 00 10111 or provide information via the SAPS MYSAPSAPP.
All information will be treated with strictest confidence and callers may remain anonymous.
