A group of suspects have been arrested after an ATM bombing in Clarens.
The police arrested seven suspects in connection with the incident that occurred at a petrol station on Tuesday, 14 May, at around 00:05.
Preliminary investigations confirmed that explosives had been used to destroy the ATM and that an unknown amount of money was stolen.
Initial reports indicated that suspects had been travelling in a blue Toyota Fortuner with Gauteng registration numbers. On 17 May, at approximately 01:00, the police in Ficksburg spotted the vehicle near an ATM in Ficksburg. Two men were seen tampering with the machine, but attempted to flee when they noticed the police.
A vehicle chase ensued, which resulted in the successful arrest of the Fortuner’s five occupants. The two suspects initially found at the ATM were also arrested, bringing the total number of suspects in custody to seven.
Banknotes indicating stolen ATM cash were recovered.
The seven individuals are aged between 24 and 36 years. Four of them were confirmed to be undocumented immigrants. The vehicle was confiscated as evidence.
The suspects will soon appear in the Clarens and Ficksburg Magistrates’ Court. The Provincial Serious and Violent Crimes and Homicide unit has taken over the investigation and is focusing on charges of business robbery and related offences.
Further investigations are underway to determine any links to additional criminal activities.
