Three cash-in-transit heist attacks within hours

Robbers made off with a 'substantial amount' of money in a cash heist in Kensington

Two cash-in-transit heists and another failed attempt occurred within hours in different parts of Johannesburg this afternoon. During the heist the gangs used the same method of operation - ramming a Mercedes-Benz into the security van to turn it over.

Two security guards were injured in one incident. At about 2pm, a group of about 15 men attacked a Coin security van in Sydenham in northern Johannesburg but failed to steal cash from a Coin security van.

Lungelo Dlamini, a police superintendent, said the gang rammed into the van with a Mercedes-Benz in 12th avenue. They were unable to overturn it. The group then fled in different cars. Dlamini said no shots were fired and no-one was injured.

Coin van robbed of undisclosed amount
At about 2.50pm, four men robbed a Coin security van of an undisclosed amount of money and a firearm in Germiston on the East Rand. Steady Nawa, a police captain, said the two security guards were travelling from a company in Germiston's industrial area when a red Mercedes-Benz rammed into the van, causing it to overturn, at the corner of Premier and Minnie streets.

Four men got out of the car and robbed one of the security guards of his firearm and money from the van. "The crew were slightly injured in the crash and no shots were fired," said Nawa.

At about 4pm, another Coin security van was attacked in Germiston, injuring two guards. Eugene Opperman, a police superintendent, said a Mercedes-Benz crashed into the van and it overturned in Reiger Park.

The two guards were injured and a gang of about 12 men then stole money from the van. Opperman said no shots were fired. The gang fled in different cars, abandoning the Mercedes-Benz, said Opperman. "We can't say at this stage if it is the same group even if the method is the same," said Opperman. - Sapa