Two men were arrested outside Potchefstroom on Wednesday after they allegedly blew up an ATM at a shopping complex and sped off, North West police said.
The men were arrested by the flying squad at 2.20am, said Superintendent Louis Jacobs.
”Police who were on patrol at Ikageng outside Potchefstroom noticed a suspicious-looking vehicle and contacted the station to screen the vehicle’s details,” said Jacobs.
”While they were waiting for feedback, there was an explosion not far from where they were at the Funani shopping complex.”
An ATM had been blown up.
Jacobs said the men in the vehicle sped off as soon as the explosion occurred.
Potchefstroom police were called for assistance and the vehicle was picked up by the flying squad on the N12 highway, heading towards Johannesburg.
Jacobs said the vehicle was pulled off the road and two men from Soweto aged 32 and 46 were arrested.
”In the vehicle, police found and confiscated tools that are usually used to break open these ATMs.”
Jacobs said police were investigating the possibility of linking the two men with a similar incident on November 12 at Wedela on the N12 near Fochville.
”Fortunately no money was stolen during the incidents,” he said.
North West police were investigating, said Jacobs. – Sapa