Attempted robbery at a garage in the city centre

By Rhodé Marshall
25 February 2008

Early on Monday morning a group of men attempted to rob two security officials who had stopped at a garage in Upper Buitekant Street in Cape Town.

Police spokesperson Inspector Bernadine Steyn says that on arrival, one of the security guards got out of their car and a white Mercedes Benz with an unknown number of occupants stopped next to them.

“Several shots were fired at the security guard, who went to make the pick-up as well as the security vehicle, an Izuku bakkie. The official who sustained three gunshot wounds to his stomach returned fire with his official firearm,” says Steyn.

She says a firearm — of which the serial number had been filed off — was confiscated on the scene. The 35-year-old security guard was taken to a nearby hospital and is believed to be in a stable condition.

The suspects who fled the scene are still at large. The vehicle they used was found abandoned in Alexander Street, Oranjezicht.

“We are investigating the possibility that a second vehicle – a white BMW might have been involved and an attempted armed robbery case is being investigated,” says Steyn.