R106K, 80kg of coins, safe-cutting tools found in car at Pietermaritzburg mall

A black Volkswagen Golf carrying about R106 000 in cash, more than 80kg of coins and equipment capable of cutting open safes was intercepted at a Pietermaritzburg shopping mall on Tuesday, leading to a suspect’s arrest.

According to security company Mi7, the car was fitted with mismatched registration plates and was wanted in connection with a robbery case registered in Standerton.

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The operation began at about 9 am when a member of another security company noticed the driver behaving suspiciously and contacted Mi7’s Strategic Threat Response Unit for assistance.

Mi7 said a responding unit member checked the registration plates and established that they did not match the vehicle. A further check of the vehicle identification number (VIN) revealed its alleged link to the Standerton robbery case.

Members of the Hilton SAPS Flying Squad and Pietermaritzburg Task Team arrived to assist and searched the car.

Alongside the cash and coins, officers found airtime valued at more than R20 000, large angle grinders and other suspected housebreaking implements, Mi7 said.

The security company said the equipment included tools capable of cutting open safes and was suspected to have been used to break into homes and businesses.

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Police arrested the suspect in connection with the wanted vehicle, suspected stolen property and possession of housebreaking implements, according to Mi7.