A brazen cash-in-transit heist at the Value Centre just outside Food Lover’s Market at Somerset Mall on Monday 27 January, left a security guard injured and shoppers reeling from shock.
According to Somerset West police, the incident occurred at about 18:05 when a security guard was collecting money from the store.
“He was approached outside the store by an armed man. The man pointed a firearm at him and the guard let go of the trolley with the money.
“As he was running he heard shots being fired and was shot in the left foot,” said police spokesperson Suzan Jantjies.
According to an employee at one of the stores, who asked not to be named, panic spread in the area when the gunshots rang out.
“Everyone was stunned and people started running in all directions, taking cover. Some said that the suspects were armed with AK-47s. We heard multiple gunshots,” she said. “It’s a miracle that no one else was injured.”
Several vehicles were riddled with bullets before the suspects jumped into a vehicle with the cash box and fled the scene.
Video footage shared on social media shows the suspects casually jumping into the car and fleeing in a white vehicle, fitted with what was reported to be false number plates.
“The robbers made off with an undisclosed amount of cash. A case of cash-in-transit robbery is currently under investigation,” said Jantjies.
. Anyone who witnessed the incident is urged to contact Somerset West detectives at 021 850 1325 or 021 850 1303.
