Heavy gunfire rang out in King William’s Town’s main street yesterday morning when a cash-in-transit robbery gang clashed with armed security guards.
One alleged gangster, who was dumped by his robber crew who sped off leaving him on foot, was chased down by the police and security guards.
The robbers hit a cash-in-transit van at the bustling Alexander Road petrol station and convenience store at the entrance to the town at 8.30am, said King William’s Town police spokeswoman Captain Siphokazi Mawisa.
Staff dived for cover and there was screaming and chaos, the Dispatch was told by sources at the garage.
Mawisa said there was a “heavy exchange of gunfire” between armed security guards and four suspects.
The Hawks in the Eastern Cape launched a manhunt for the three heavily-armed men who fled with an undisclosed amount of money, she said.
“Police chased and managed to arrest one suspect and a firearm was recovered hidden in the yard at Maitland Road. Police are hot on the heels of three suspects that fled the scene with cash.”
The lone suspect is due to appear in King William’s Town Magistrate’s Court tomorrow. Mawisa commended the swift response of the King William’s Town police.
Mawisa said the assailants pounced on the unsuspecting armed guards at 8.30am while they were picking up cash from the garage’s convenience store.
“Shooting ensued between the guard and a suspect who took an undisclosed amount of money from the cash-in-transit security guard.”
Mawisa said a case of armed robbery had been opened and was being investigated by Hawks.
King William’s Town Acting Cluster Commander Colonel Syed Cassin commended the members for their swift response and their thorough investigation that led to the arrest and recovery of a firearm.
A source at the garage, who asked not to be named for fear of victimisation, said all 18 workers at the garage were safe. This included petrol attendants, cashiers and in-house coffee shop staff.
“We have bullet holes in the store’s ceiling and one of the windows were also damaged,” said the spokesman.
The source said the getaway car was parked near the store.
“Two fled on foot behind the getaway car and security guards tried to chase them down. One of them was caught by the police.”
Petrol attendant Thabo Tyesi said he was filling a car at the garage’s pump when he heard shots.
“I thought it was a sound from a burst tyre but noticed people running and a guard chasing so I took cover.”— malibongwe@dispatch.co.za..