PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Three local security guards were held at gunpoint and tied up during an attempted ATM heist at the Market Square shopping centre at about 02:00 on Sunday 27 February.
Southern Cape police spokesperson Sgt Chris Spies said according to preliminary investigation, three suspects, at least one of them armed with a firearm, held a security guard at gunpoint and forced two others, whose hands were tied with cable ties, to the ground.
"They attempted to open the ATM with power tools and fled the scene in a white vehicle," Spies said.
The security guards were on duty at the time of the incident.
Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA) operations head Otto Olivier said one of the security guards on site managed to evade capture, but was unable to use her radio to alert authorities. She however managed to get around the back of the centre to get her private phone to sound the alarm. Various crime fighters arrived on the scene shortly after the incident was reported.
"The armed gang had fled in a white vehicle with no number plates. The same vehicle, reportedly hired, went through the toll gates a little while later," Olivier said.
According to Spies, detectives are investigating a case of attempted robbery. All three suspects are still at large.
Olivier said the incident sparked a social media debate about the effectiveness of Licence Plate Recognition (LPR) cameras.
"I can state without any doubt that they are very effective in crime prevention in Plett. Data from these LPR cameras has led to many criminals being prosecuted. It has also enabled trained security partners accredited with the Security Industry Regulatory Authority (Psira) to trace and capture perpetrators. It has also been used very effectively in finding people with mental issues and persons reported by their concerned loved ones as missing."
Only police and Psira compliant individuals have the appropriate clearance to access this type of information.
The investigation officer, Constable NP Kofu, urged the public to come forward with any information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects. All information will be treated confidentially. Anyone with information may contact Kofu on 044 501 1900.
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