BOTSHABELO – A 46-year-old parolee has been arrested after police recovered a vehicle stolen during a violent business robbery in Botshabelo, while a manhunt continues for three remaining suspects.

The arrest was made during Operation Shanela II, following a police operation in Thaba Nchu that led officers to the stolen blue Volkswagen Touran.

The robbery took place at about 20:00 on Friday, 10 July, when four heavily armed men allegedly stormed a shop in Section U, Botshabelo. According to police, the suspects held two shopkeepers at gunpoint before assaulting them while demanding cash and mobile phones.

Before fleeing, the attackers allegedly stole one victim’s car keys and drove off in his blue Volkswagen Touran.

Members of the Boithuso police responded to the scene, where cases of business robbery and motor vehicle theft were opened for investigation.

The breakthrough came on Friday, 17 July, when members of the Mangaung Metro District Operational Command Centre (DOCC) Crime Combating Unit received information about the possible location of the stolen vehicle in Ramakgari, Thaba Nchu.

Police followed up on the intelligence and searched a residential property, where they found the damaged Volkswagen Touran concealed inside a garage.

The owner of the property, a 46-year-old man, was arrested at the scene.

Police said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect had been sentenced to six years’ imprisonment in 2023 and was out on parole at the time of his arrest.

He is expected to face charges of possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle, in addition to business robbery and motor vehicle theft.

Meanwhile, Botshabelo police have intensified efforts to trace the remaining suspects believed to have been involved in the robbery.

Anyone with information that could assist in locating the outstanding suspects is urged to contact Detective Lieutenant Colonel Finger on 082 339 9221, SAPS Crime Stop on 08600 10111, or submit anonymous information via the MySAPS App.

ALSO READ: Two Lesotho nationals sentenced for the Thaba Nchu Post Office robbery