Shoot-out at Durban garage as armed suspects open fire on cash-in-transit guards

Durban - Cash-in-transit guards came under attack from armed robbers while they collected money from a garage on Old North Coast Road in Durban on Tuesday.

Tyron Powell, Marshall Security managing director, said their emergency dispatch centre received numerous calls from members of the public, panic activations from clients and messages on WhatsApp crime alert groups reporting that multiple gunshots were being fired at a well known fuel station just before 11am this morning.

Powell said multiple armed response officers and Special Operation Team members were dispatched and arrived on scene within minutes.

However, he said the suspects had already fled the scene.

“It was established that G4S security members were involved in a shoot-out with an unknown number of suspects who had arrived in an unidentified vehicle and attempted to rob two G4S cash vehicles. The security members were on site to service the ATM’s,” said Powell.

According to Powell there were a number of spent cartridges found on the scene, including ones from high calibre rifles.

“One G4S security member was injured after sustaining a head injury inside his vehicle while attempting to flee from the suspects,” he said.

He said Netcare911 paramedics were called by their emergency dispatch centre.

“The patient was then transported to hospital for the further medical care that he required,” said Powell.

Provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Nqobile Gwala said: “It is alleged that this morning at 11.30am, security guards were collecting money from an ATM at a business premises on Old North Coast Road when they were confronted by two armed men. A shoot-out ensued and the suspects fled the scene on foot. Nothing was taken and no injuries were reported.”

Gwala said a case of attempted cash in transit robbery will be opened at Greenwood Park police station for investigation.