Police in Taung and Bloemhof arrested eight suspects on Thursday, 21 and Friday, 22 March 2024, after responding to complaints of business robberies.
In Taung, police were summoned to a robbery in progress at a supermarket at Veertien village on Thursday, 21 March 2024. Upon arrival at the scene, the members were briefed about the incident in which five armed men wearing balaclavas robbed the store of an undisclosed amount of cash and cigarettes. The suspects’ vehicles; a white Renault and a silver Volkswagen Polo, which were still in the vicinity were spotted and that led to a car chase. Allegedly, the suspects shot at the police who returned fire. One of the vehicles came to a halt after its tyre was deflated while the other capsized after the driver lost control. Three suspects aged 30, 37 and 47 were arrested whilst the vehicles used in the commission of the crime and the stolen items were confiscated. The suspects are expected to appear in the Taung Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 25 March 2024, for business robbery, attempted murder, illegal possession of firearms and illegal possession of ammunition, among others.
In an unrelated incident, the Bloemhof Visible Policing members arrested five suspects on Friday evening, 22 March 2024, after being informed of the business robbery while in patrol in Boitumelong Location. According to information, members spotted and approached the suspects’ vehicle. Although two of the occupants attempted to run away, they were quickly stopped by community members who witnessed the incident and all five suspects were arrested.
During the search, members found 120 x R200-00 counterfeit notes and approximately R1 400-00 cash in the vehicle.
The suspects; two Zimbabwean foreign nationals, aged 36 and 35, two other males, aged, 34 and 32 and a female, aged 22, are all due to appear in the Bloemhof Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 25 March 2024, facing charges of armed robbery, possession of suspected stolen goods and possession of counterfeit notes. The Zimbabwean foreign nationals will also be charged for contravening the provisions of the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002)
The Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena commended both Taung and Bloemhof members for their swift reactions to the crimes and ensuring that the alleged perpetrators are apprehended. He also thanked community members for the role they played to ensure the arrests of the suspects.
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