fidelity cash in transit crime stats 2017/2018 by province

FILE: HILLBROW, SOUTH AFRICA – JUNE 21: Forensic investigation officers at the crime scene of a cash-in-transit robbery where one police officer was shot dead, while two guards and two bystanders were wounded on June 21, 2018 in Hillbrow, South Africa. According to a police statement, several unknown suspects attacked and fired shots at a parked cash-in-transit vehicle and fled the scene, taking an undisclosed amount of money. (Photo by Gallo Images / Sowetan / Masi Losi)

Cash in transit heist: 30 armed robbers ambush Fidelity van in Pretoria

Approximately 30 cash in transit robbers travelling in at least seven cars ambushed a Fidelity vehicle in Pretoria on Sunday. A security guard suffered serious injuries during the attack.

fidelity cash in transit crime stats 2017/2018 by province

FILE: HILLBROW, SOUTH AFRICA – JUNE 21: Forensic investigation officers at the crime scene of a cash-in-transit robbery where one police officer was shot dead, while two guards and two bystanders were wounded on June 21, 2018 in Hillbrow, South Africa. According to a police statement, several unknown suspects attacked and fired shots at a parked cash-in-transit vehicle and fled the scene, taking an undisclosed amount of money. (Photo by Gallo Images / Sowetan / Masi Losi)

Approximately 30 Cash in transit (CIT) robbers attacked a Fidelity cash vehicle in Pretoria on Sunday, 26 September. The armed suspects were travelling in at least seven different vehicles and made off with an undisclosed amount of cash.

FIDELITY GUARD WOUNDED IN ATTACK

According to a Fidelity statement on Monday, the cash in transit vehicle was ambushed at approximately 10:45 on Sunday morning by about 30 armed suspects travelling in seven different vehicles.

The armoured Fidelity vehicle was on its way to deliver cash when a BMW rammed into it on Propshaft Street in Silverton, Pretoria near the South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Intelligence offices.

Fidelity CEO, Wahl Bartmann, said despite the heavy attack, the vehicle’s “sophisticated technology” ensured that there was minimal cash loss.

“Unfortunately in the ambush one of the Fidelity crew members in the back up vehicle was shot in the hip and upper chest,” said Bartmann. “His condition is very serious and he is being treated in hospital.”

Fidelity is reportedly working closely with SAPS and no arrests have been made thus far. SAPS spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said the suspects set the BMW alight after crashing into the cash vehicle, which is when the CIT robbers in the other vehicles approached and opened fire on the security guards.

Besides the undisclosed amount of cash, the robbers also made off with a pair of 9mm pistols and 30 rounds of ammunition.