Publications
Partners
Fidelity Security guards have been attacked and robbed at a petrol station in Johannesburg on Tuesday afternoon, the company has confirmed.
"It was just a cross pavement [cash carrier] and it was not the cash van that was robbed. As they picked up money from inside of the [petrol station] store, the security guard was held up at gunpoint," Fidelity CEO Wahl Bartmann told News24.
Bartmann said the incident took place at a Total garage in Douglasdale, Fourways.
He said the robbers made off with a canister but added that "there was not big cash lost there".
The guards were not injured.
One suspect was later arrested, while two cash boxes, an unlicensed rifle and the getaway car were recovered, according to a joint statement by the Ministry of Police and the office of the National Commissioner of Police on Tuesday evening.
Two people had accosted and robbed two security officers before fleeing in a white sedan with the cash boxes and a firearm belonging to one of the guards, said spokespeople Reneilwe Serero and Colonel Brenda Muridili.
They said various police units, including the SAPS airwing, jumped into action.
"They cordoned off the area near Diepsloot, forcing the suspects to abandon their vehicle, which will be processed to determine the ownership and whether it is stolen or hijacked. The police found an unlicensed rifle inside the vehicle which will be sent for ballistic testing to determine if it was used in the commission of other crimes."
The arrested suspect would appear in court soon as the search for his alleged accomplice continued.
Police Minister Bheki Cele commended the swift reaction by officers.
We will continue to remain resolute in our efforts to combat crime and protect South Africans until they feel safe and secure," he said.
Police Commissioner, General Kehla Sitole, said the arrest and recoveries of items was "a clear indication that we will not allow criminals any space to maneuver".
