Police in the Eastern Cape have arrested a suspect in connection with a daring R1.3 million heist that took place at the Crime Intelligence Capfin office in East London last week.
East London R1.3 million heist: Here are the latest updates
The heist, described as methodical and bold, has shocked the local community and left law enforcement racing to unravel the full scope of the crime.
According to a police report, the incident occurred at approximately 13:00 on Friday, 10 January 2025, when an unknown male entered the secured premises of the Capfin office at Wesbank.
The suspect reportedly gained access to the building after receiving assistance from a warrant officer on duty.
Claiming he was there to visit a captain in the building, the suspect was escorted to her office.
Once inside, the man allegedly revealed a firearm tucked into his waistband and handed a bag to the officer, demanding money.
To emphasise his threats, the suspect warned that any attempts to resist or report the robbery would result in harm to the officer’s family.
The officer, accompanied by another colleague, was forced to load a staggering R1.3 million into the suspect’s bag.
Surveillance footage reportedly shows the suspect exiting the building calmly, bypassing gate security without using a getaway vehicle.
On Friday, law enforcement confirmed the arrest of a suspect believed to be connected to the heist.
While authorities have yet to disclose the identity of the individual, the arrest is seen as a significant step forward in resolving the case.
The police have not revealed details about how the suspect was tracked down but confirmed that the arrest followed an extensive investigation involving multiple teams.
The suspect’s connection to the robbery and any potential accomplices remain under investigation.