WATCH: Gun battle erupts in Verulam as security officers clash with CIT suspects armed with high-calibre rifles
AERIAL SEARCH
Reaction Unit South Africa’s reaction officer engaged in a gun battle with alleged CIT robbery suspects.
Image: Reaction Unit South Africa.
IN a dramatic confrontation, Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa) officers found themselves embroiled in an intense gun battle with alleged cash-in-transit (CIT) robbery suspects on Old Inanda Road in Brindhaven, Verulam on Monday afternoon.
Prem Balram, the head of the Rusa, said its operations centre received multiple calls from members of the public reporting a robbery in progress.
He said several callers also reported hearing explosions in the area.
“Reaction officers were immediately dispatched and, while responding, encountered alleged spotters armed with high-calibre rifles. A shootout ensued during which a response vehicle sustained two gunshot impacts. The suspects fled the scene in two vehicles travelling in the direction of Inanda.”
Balram said no reaction officers were injured during the incident.
“At this stage, it cannot be confirmed if any suspects sustained injuries.”
Balram added that reaction officers conducted a coordinated ground search, while Rusa’s helicopter performed an aerial sweep of the area.
“Reports indicated that occupants of the two vehicles fired shots into the air. The Pilot-in-Command of the helicopter was instructed to maintain a safe operational distance during the search due to the suspects being heavily armed. No arrests were made during the search.”