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By Botho Molosankwe 
2h ago
Bloemfontein – There was drama in the Free State on Friday morning when a cash-in-transit robbery left a suspected thief dead and three vehicles on fire. Five people were arrested.
The first gang of thieves allegedly burned their own vehicle during a shootout with police, while the second group allegedly slammed into the cash van only to set both vehicles on fire.
This happened after the police stopped the robbery and recovered some of the stolen money. Four vehicles and firearms were seized without a license.
The incident happened around 5.30am in Bloemfontein, Free State, on Oliver Tambo Street near South Park.
National Police Colonel Brenda Muridili said a multidisciplinary team made up of members of Crime Intelligence, the Tactical Response Team and the Parkweg Kidnapping Team received a tip about a possible theft of cash in transit on the cash delivery route. by Bloemfontein.
He said they then observed an unknown vehicle ram into the escort vehicle of an armored van.
The cash van continued on its route as police confronted the suspects and a shooting ensued, he said.
During the shooting, Muridili said the thieves set his car on fire and fled.
It is believed that while the first group of thieves distracted the escort van, the second group of thieves went after the cash van.
When police called for reinforcements to pursue the first group of thieves, they came across another scene in which a pickup truck and another vehicle were on fire.
The thieves’ vehicle is believed to have burst into flames when it collided with the box truck, which also caught fire.
“The box truck had been robbed and set on fire. More suspects had just fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash, “Muridili said.
One of the suspects’ vehicles was rounded up by the police, but the suspects abandoned their car and fled.
“The members pursued them and arrested five suspects. One of them died in hospital from a gunshot to the head. A security guard injured during the shooting was taken to the hospital, ”he said.
“The police recovered some of the money.”
Muridili said the suspects were expected to appear in court soon to face charges of theft of cash in transit and possession of firearms and ammunition without a license.
“Anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the remaining suspects is encouraged to submit information on the MySAPS app or SAPS Crime Stop number 08600 10111. All information received will be treated confidentially, ”he said.
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