Photo: Twitter / StolencarRSA
Photo: Twitter / StolencarRSA
Warning: This article regarding a CIT heist in Johannesburg contains scenes of gun violence. Although there are no fatalities to report, viewer discretion is still advised.
You’ll struggle to see a scene more chaotic than this for quite some time. But a hectic shootout at an Engen garage in Johannesburg – involving two cash-in-transit (CIT) officers and at least three perpetrators – has gone viral on social media, after the security footage was uploaded online.
Protea Glen Engen targeted in CIT heist
The dramatic scene starts in a fairly casual manner. Shoppers go about their business blissfully unaware of the carnage that is about to unfold. One of the CIT officers has got out of his van and begins the process of delivering cash. He pops in and out of the store, on what seems to be a quiet Friday afternoon.
A man in a blue jacket comes racing around the corner, just as the law enforcement officer closes the back door on his vehicle. Several shots are administered from close range, flooring the officer in question. His firearm is also stolen, as a scramble to wrestle control of the van begins.
With a few more shots exchanged between the two parties, the van eventually speeds away. We can confirm that the officer who was shot hasn’t been fatally wounded, and suffered an injury to his leg in the running battle. His fellow officer on duty escaped unharmed. None of the criminal participants were struck in the crossfire.
Johannesburg cops hunt for robbery suspects
They did, however, manage to get away with an undisclosed amount of money and a gun from the Protea Glen petrol station. SAPS also revealed that an investigation into the incident has got underway, but there have been no arrests since it was first reported on Friday evening.
Staff and shoppers were made to run for cover, in a desperate bid to avoid becoming the latest victim of a CIT hold-up.Yet surprisingly, The recently-released crime stats showed some positive news regarding these heists. According to the police, there were 23% less cash-in-transit robberies compared to last year’s figures.
Only drug-related crimes and bank robberies have shown a better level of improvement. However, despite the strides forward, these crimes continue to blight South Africa. As 183 crimes of this nature were recorded between 2018/19, one CIT robbery every two days is still remains a terrifying ratio.
Gun violence: CIT robbery causes chaos at Johannesburg Engen
? Protea Glen CIT Robbery.
— @StolencarRSA ?? (@stolencarRSA) September 21, 2019
SHOOT out R559 Rd Engine Garage pic.twitter.com/rcc5Oydllc
