The South African Police Service and the O.R.Tambo International Airport’s joint security forces responded to an armed robbery in progress at the cargo section of the airport where a shootout between law enforcement and the suspects ensued which resulted in seven arrests, two fatalities as well as the recovery of stolen cargo and five firearms.
At about 12:30 on 18 July 2020, a group of suspects entered the cargo section at the O. R. Tambo Airport and held the staff at gunpoint at one of the warehouses. The manager of the warehouse noticed employees lying on the floor and immediately notified the police and airport security.
On arrival at the scene, the police and airport security chased after the suspects’ truck and bakkie which had just left the warehouse. A high speed chase and shootout resulted. Subsequently, seven suspects were arrested, four of them with gunshot wounds while two more suspects were shot dead. A civilian in the vicinity sustained a gunshot wound apparently by a stray bullet.
The police upon searching the suspects’ truck recovered the stolen personal protective equipment (masks) as well as three crates containing cellphones.
The SAPS and Airport Security’s swift response to the robbery is proof of the effective collaborative security measures that have been put in place at the airport.
The arrested suspects will be appearing at the Kempton Park Magistrates Court soon, facing charges of armed robbery.
We continue to appeal to anyone that know of crimes being planned to contact the SAPS on the Crime Stop number 086 00 10111 or via the MySAPS App.
All information will be treated with strictest confidence.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
