The Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crimes unit in Bloemfontein’s ongoing investigation regarding an armed robbery at a shopping centre in Heidedal in January 2022 has culminated with the arrest of two suspects. Currently remanded in custody, the alleged robbers, Leroy Mark Ramontso (33) and Benjamin Tankiso Sorro (41), were arrested in Bloemfontein on separate occasions.
Lt Col. Zweli Mohobeleli, provincial spokesperson of the Hawks, said Ramontso was arrested on Friday (18/08) following a multi-faceted operation conducted by the Hawks, K9 unit, and the Tactical Response Team (TRT). He said Sorro was arrested earlier.
Mohobeleli said the two suspects left a trail of evidence during the armed robbery of a cash delivery vehicle on 29 January 2022 at Lemo Mall. He said they were among a group of armed robbers that ambushed a cash delivery van offloading at an ATM on the mall premises.
“The two were positively linked through fingerprints lifted from the Nissan 1400 vehicle used as the getaway vehicle. The vehicle was reported stolen in Bloemfontein on Christmas Day in 2021,” said Mohobeleli. He said Sorro and Ramontso will reappear in the Bloemfontein Magistrates’ Court on 24 and 25 August for bail hearings. They are facing charges of robbery and theft of a motor vehicle.
“Ramontso is alleged to have participated in a series of organised crimes,” said Mohobeleli.
