The Free State police have arrested two suspects and recovered stolen money following a cash-in-transit robbery in Welkom on Saturday 23 May.
Six armed suspects accosted security officers collecting money from a retail store in 12th Street, Voorspoed, at around 12:40. The suspects forced the guards to lie down before ordering them to open the cash van.
The robbers fled with an undisclosed amount of money, three firearms belonging to the security officers, bulletproof vests, and a hand radio.
Crime Intelligence gathered information on the suspects’ whereabouts and mobilised members of the Tactical Response Team (TRT) and the Public Order Policing (POP) unit to a house in Welkom at around 15:00.
Upon the police’s arrival, a shootout ensued. Two suspects were arrested, while others managed to flee. An undisclosed amount of money and other items linked to the robbery were found.
Provincial Commissioner Lt. Gen. Solomon Lesia commended the multidisciplinary team for swift response. The two suspects are expected to appear in court soon on charges of armed robbery, attempted murder and possession of suspected stolen property.
