Brazen cash-in-transit robbery leads to shootout and helicopter chase in KZN

A brazen cash-in-transit (CIT) robbery unfolded on Old Inanda Road in Brindhaven, KwaZulu-Natal, on Monday afternoon, prompting a rapid response from Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) and a subsequent aerial and ground search for heavily armed suspects.

According to RUSA, its operations centre began receiving multiple calls from members of the public at approximately 1:25pm reporting an ongoing robbery and explosions in the area. Reaction Officers were immediately dispatched to the scene.

Upon arrival, officers encountered suspects believed to be acting as spotters. The individuals were reportedly heavily armed, and a shootout ensued. During the exchange of gunfire, a RUSA response vehicle sustained two gunshot impacts. No injuries were reported among officers.

The suspects fled the scene in two vehicles, travelling in the direction of Inanda, KwaZulu-Natal. Reports from the area indicated that occupants of the fleeing vehicles fired shots into the air as they made their escape.

In an effort to track down the suspects, the RUSA Robinson R44 helicopter was deployed to assist with the search. Reaction Officers conducted a coordinated ground operation while the helicopter carried out an aerial sweep of the surrounding area.

"Due to the suspects being heavily armed, the Pilot-in-Command of the Robinson R44 was instructed to maintain a safe operational distance during the search," said RUSA

Despite the extensive response and coordinated efforts, no arrests had been made at the time of reporting.

Investigations into the incident are ongoing.

A media query was sent to SAPS, but no response had been received by the time of publication.

sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za

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