Hawks investigate Durban cash-in-transit heist attempt that left guard wounded
Durban — The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI-Hawks) are investigating an attempted cash-in-transit heist which left a security guard with a gunshot wound at Dube Village Mall near Inanda on Tuesday.
KwaZulu-Natal Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Simphiwe Mhlongo said the Durban Serious Organised Crime Investigation are investigating a case of attempted cash in transit heist (cross pavement) and attempted murder.
Mhlongo said it is alleged that the guards were collecting cash when they were accosted by unknown suspects. One security guard was shot and taken to hospital for medical attention.
“No cash was taken and no arrests have been made at this stage,” Mhlongo said.
Several private security companies and emergency medical services responded to the scene.
Ensure Security’s Kyle van Reenen said that after 12.30pm, multiple security service agencies responded to the scene and further information ascertained revealed that an unknown number of armed suspects opened fire on a security officer in an attempted heist.
“The man suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was treated and stabilised on scene by Emergency Care Practitioners before being airlifted with the assistance of the Netcare 911 aeromedical helicopter to a specialist facility for the definitive care that he required,” Van Reenen said.
Adding, Reaction Unit SA (Rusa) spokesperson Prem Balram said that when Rusa members arrived at the scene, they found that a security officer was shot in his left leg and was bleeding profusely from his injury.
Balram said it was established that five armed suspects opened fire on him as he exited the back of the cash van.
“He was shot in the leg but managed to get back into the truck,” Balram said.
He said the suspects fled empty-handed.
Balram added that several stray bullets shattered windows at a fast food outlet.
WhatsApp your views on this story at 071 485 7995.
Daily News