Tis the season to rob

24 October 2014 - 02:38 By Graeme Hosken
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SEARCHING FOR CLUES: Forensics experts inspect the scene of a cash-in-transit heist at OR Tambo International Airport. Three men were injured during the attack
SEARCHING FOR CLUES: Forensics experts inspect the scene of a cash-in-transit heist at OR Tambo International Airport. Three men were injured during the attack
Image: ALON SKUY

Cash-in-transit robbers and ATM bombers made off with millions of rands in two separate attacks - and not a shot was fired.

The robberies occurred hours before the police launched their festive-season anti-crime operation yesterday.

The operation will focus on violent armed robberies, especially at shopping centres; road safety; crimes against women and children and border security.

In the first of the attacks yesterday, robbers armed with semi-automatic rifles rammed a Brinks Global Services bakkie as it left the cargo section of OR Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park, east of Johannesburg.

Brinks Global Services is an international cash and high-risk asset management company that provides transportation by armoured trucks, secure air charters and sea freight.

It is believed the money, said to include US dollars, euros and pounds, had been flown into the country shortly before the vehicle was attacked. All of the cash was taken.

This is the second time foreign currency has been stolen at the airport. In 2006, 25 people stole R100-million in foreign currency from an aircraft from London.

Brinks Global Services declined to comment.

Unathi Bayatshe-Fillis, the Airports Company South Africa spokesman, said the heist occurred outside the airport property and its operations were not compromised.

Gunme n rammed the unmarked vehicle, damaging it extensively as it left the cargo section.

As several gunmen tried to force the driver and his two crew from the bakkie, others removed the canopy, breaking open the safe before fleeing with the cash.

The guards, who were injured in the crash, were taken to hospital.

Kilometres away in Booysens, Johannesburg ATM bombers attacked staff of the Viva Cash and Carry Supermarket and Bakery as they opened the store.

As several gunmen forced employees out of the shop, others packed explosives around an ATM, blowing it up before escaping with the money.

Police spokesman Captain Tsekiso Mofokeng said the attacks occurred almost simultaneously.

"In the heist, an unknown number of gunmen ambushed the vehicle from the airport.

"They rammed it with a Mercedes-Benz, escaping in a white BMW X5 and a VW Golf 6 with the money."

Mofokeng said the ATM bombing occurred near the Booysens Police Station.

"Six gunmen, armed with rifles, escaped in a BMW with an undisclosed amount of money."

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