GEORGE NEWS - The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) is investigating an attempted armed robbery at the premises of the Fidelity Services Group in George on Monday evening, 10 May.

This is the second incident within a month in which Fidelity employees have fallen victim to attacks from armed robbers. 

On Monday 26 April, Fidelity security guards were accosted by two armed suspects while they were picking up money from the Bonjour shop at Total Sandkraal in Nelson Mandela Boulevard. The suspects are still at large.

According to Wahl Bartmann, CEO of Fidelity Services Group, the latest incident occurred when four or five suspects dressed as police officers entered the premises on Monday evening at approximately 20:00.

A spokesperson for the Hawks, Zinzi Hani, confirmed the incident and said security guards were accosted by five armed suspects. She did not give any other information and said that the investigation is ongoing. Bartmann said in a statement that it was the quick thinking and courageous actions of a Fidelity Cash in Transit (CIT) leader that saved the day. 

However, he did not want to elaborate as to what exactly happened and how the guard managed to scare off the suspects.

"The CIT leader, based in George, was able to prevent four to five suspects, impersonating police members, from breaking into the Fidelity Services Group offices in George last night," he said on Tuesday. 

"Both the Hawks and local police are currently busy with the investigation and taking statements. I can only commend our officers who placed their lives on the line. I am so grateful that both our officers were not seriously harmed. Fortunately our armoury was already locked for the evening, but the incident could have ended up very badly for our two brave officers. We are working very closely with all the officials reviewing footage and checking all leads," Bartmann said.

'We bring you the latest George, Garden Route news'