Story: Nikilitha Burns
Five suspects aged between 35 and 49 have been arrested on charges of ATM cash theft and possession of suspected stolen property. The suspects are expected to appear in the magistrate’s courts in Prince Albert and Paarl.
Their arrest follows a special operation conducted by various departments, including the South African Police Service in Komani, Komani Crime Intelligence, Komani K9 Unit, as well as security companies such as Fidelity Security Group, Guardian Defense Security, Beaufort West K9, Paarl K9, and Cape Town Crime Intelligence.
It is alleged that on 6 March, police received information from a security company that about six ATMs had been tampered with and an undisclosed amount of cash stolen. These incidents reportedly occurred in different areas, including Whittlesea, Cacadu, Steynsburg, and Queenstown. The suspects are also alleged to have been dressed in Fidelity uniforms, carrying firearms, and driving two Toyota Starlet vehicles with Gauteng registration plates.
Information indicated that the vehicles were heading towards Cape Town, prompting the launch of a follow-up operation. Around 3:00 PM, one of the suspected vehicles was stopped in Prince Albert with three occupants inside. Upon searching the vehicle, police found cash, firearms, and Fidelity uniforms. The occupants could not provide a satisfactory explanation for possessing these items, leading to their immediate arrest, and the vehicle was seized as evidence.
The second vehicle attempted to evade police but was later stopped in Paarl, where two suspects were inside. Cash and Fidelity uniforms were found and seized for investigative purposes. The suspects are scheduled to make their first court appearance in the towns where they were arrested, Prince Albert and Paarl, before being transferred to Queenstown, Whittlesea, Cacadu, and Steynsburg, where ATM theft investigations are ongoing.
Chris Hani District Police Commissioner, Major General Rudolph Adolph, expressed concern over intruders from other provinces conducting criminal activities in his jurisdiction. He added that, although Chris Hani District is known to be a no-go area for criminals, some offenders still do not learn the lesson
