An ATM at a Mpumalanga fuel station was bombed on Thursday morning, 22 December. Images: Supplied.
LOOK: ATM bombers escape with cash after a brief shootout
Four ATM bombers allegedly held fuel station staff at gunpoint before detonating explosives. Security guards arrived as they made their escape.
An ATM at a Mpumalanga fuel station was bombed on Thursday morning, 22 December. Images: Supplied.
A group of armed suspects held up a fuel station in Embalenhle, Mpumalanga, in the early hours of Thursday, 22 December. The suspects allegedly held staff at gunpoint before bombing the ATM.
ATM BOMBERS ESCAPE WITH CASH
South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said the incident occurred at approximately 3:20.
“During the incident, it is alleged that a group of armed suspects detonated some explosives which damaged an ATM and suspects made off with an undisclosed amount of cash which they took from the said machine,” said Mohlala.
The four ATM bombers allegedly detonated the explosives after threatening staff with guns. The staff managed to alert law enforcement and private security with a panic button.
As the security guards approached the fuel station, they were spotted by the suspects, who allegedly opened fire, hitting one of the response vehicles before fleeing. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
“Police at Embalenhle were informed about the robbery, and upon arrival, a case of robbery with an additional charge of ATM Bombing was opened. The investigators will also probe the shooting which occurred,” said the police spokesperson.
The investigation is underway, and police are examining some of the bullet cartridges found at the scene. No arrests have been made thus far.
Members of the public with information are encouraged to contact the Crime Stop hotline at 08600-10111.
“The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, has emphasised that the suspects will surely be hunted down, and it is just a matter of time before each one of them is brought to book,” said Mohlala.
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