'Don't touch that cash': Crime analyst says picking up scattered money at crime scenes is gravely dangerous
Police and security experts have issued fresh warnings to community members to avoid rushing to collect scattered money at cash-in-transit (CIT) heist scenes, stressing that the practice is both criminal and life-threatening.
This follows an earlier incident reported by IOL, where bystanders were shot dead in Dawn Park after attempting to pick up money during a violent CIT robbery.
Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said two bystanders were shot and killed during a cash-in-transit robbery that occurred at Barry Marais Road in Dawn Park, Gauteng, on Monday.
Police said a cash delivery vehicle was bumped from the back by a silver Mercedes-Benz, causing the truck to capsize onto a Toyota Quantum taxi, which had seven occupants.
“Five of the occupants sustained injuries and were given medical treatment while the other two escaped with no injuries,” said Nevhuhulwi.
She said a group of approximately eight assailants bombed the cash delivery vehicle and fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of money.
Gunshots were exchanged during the heist between security officials and the robbers. Two bystanders were caught in the crossfire and have been declared dead.
In an interview with IOL, renowned security strategist and retired Interpol ambassador Andy Mashaile said the risks faced by the jostling community members extend far beyond being arrested.
“It is not only dangerous from being shot by sweepers from the gang that carried out the CIT robbery, but also a criminal offence because where the crime of robbery occurred, the area becomes a crime scene that must be fine combed by the police forensics team to collect evidence that can help in identifying the suspects,” said Mashaile.
“When community members flood the crime scene, they contaminate the crime scene.”
Mashaile added that the community members jostling for the scattered money risk being shot.
“It’s also a huge problem when the gang comes back to identify those who might have taken the loot dropped off by the fleeing robbers. It might put the families of those who picked up the loot of the robbers in grave danger,” he said.
Investigations into the Dawn Park CIT robbery continue.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
IOL News