Reaction Unit South Africa made a huge arrest of three out of four cash-in-transit robbers in Verulam.
According to RUSA, the arrests were made following an event that started with a cash-in-transit robbery on Ireland Street in the Verulam CBD. The robbers fled on foot with the cash box.
They then hijacked a champagne-colored Toyota Corolla (picture 2) and sped off. While on the run on Wick Street, the getaway vehicle struck a 57-year-old pedestrian. The robbers continued driving and collided with a white Toyota Hiace (picture 4) 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. Reaction Officers converged on the initial scene where the money box was recovered (picture 3).
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 five kilometers 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.
