Newcastle police are currently searching for 16 men in connection with a daring cash-in-transit heist that took place yesterday evening along the R34 highway.
According to Newcastle SAPS spokesperson, Lizzy Arumugam, the incident occurred around 5 pm while the cash-in-transit vehicle was en route from Vryheid to Newcastle.
“The vehicle was traveling along the R34 towards Newcastle when a white Mazda approached it from behind. The occupants of the Mazda then fired shots at the cash-in-transit vehicle, forcing it to stop,” said Arumugam.
The perpetrators reportedly stormed the vehicle and forced the crew out before escorting them to a nearby bush, where they were forced to lie down.
An additional team then arrived, and the crew heard two loud bangs before the perpetrators fled the scene with an unknown amount of cash.
“The vehicles seen fleeing the scene were the white Mazda, a brown Land Rover, and a blue Audi Q7,” added Arumugam.
Fortunately, no casualties were reported.
However, the exact amount of money stolen remains unknown at this time, as the perpetrators left some of the cash boxes behind during their escape.
While the culprits remain at large, one bystander was arrested after being caught with a box of money by a private individual.
Investigations are ongoing, and anyone with information on the incident is urged to come forward.
“We are determined to bring these criminals to justice and will spare no effort in doing so,” concluded Arumugam.
