Third suspect still at large after Cape Town airport garage heist

Cape Town - Police have launched a manhunt for a third suspected robber involved in a cigarette van heist at the BP garage at the Cape Town International Airport.

One robber was shot dead and another injured in a shoot-out with security guards on Wednesday.

Witnesses told News24 the trio had pulled up behind the delivery vehicle shortly before midday in a Toyota Tazz, after which guns were pointed at the delivery men.

However, a Fidelity Guard vehicle pulled up shortly thereafter and a shoot-out ensued.

Two of the suspects were gunned down. One died at the scene and another was taken to hospital by ambulance.

Police spokesperson Constable Noloyiso Rwexana confirmed the third suspect was still at large.

“Investigations continue,” she added.

National police commissioner General Riah Phiyega last month announced that task teams established two years ago to combat organised crime, specifically mall and cigarette van robberies, were hitting criminals hard.

Since the establishment of the cigarette van task team in 2013, 359 suspects had been arrested countrywide while 34 vehicles, 25 guns, and 12 000 cartons of cigarettes had been seized, she said.