The incidents occurred on Sunday (11/16) at Northridge Mall and Mimosa Mall, just hours apart, in broad daylight. Two suspects were arrested Tuesday evening (11/18) after a brief shootout with law enforcement officers at the Vaal Plaza toll gate.
Both were injured and received medical treatment in hospital under police guard. They have now been fired.
Police spokesperson Capt. Lorraine Earle previously said the investigation is ongoing to determine if the suspects may be connected to other incidents.
“A search of the suspects’ vehicle led to the recovery of three firearms, two 9mm pistols and an AK-47 rifle, along with ammunition and jewelry believed to have been stolen during the recent robberies.”
“The possibility that the firearms could be involved in other crimes is being investigated,” Free State Hawks spokesperson Zweli Mohobeleli said.
“The police are still investigating whether the seized jewelry was stolen during the two robberies in Bloemfontein on Sunday.”
About 9:45 a.m., six men stormed Jewel Craft in Northridge Mall. They allegedly forced the owner and employees to sit on the floor before emptying the cash register and filling bags with jewelry.
Robbers flee with a bag full of jewelry at Northridge Mall. Photo: Screenshot/Video
The suspects fled in a white Suzuki Amaze, taking jewelery worth about R250,000. A case of business robbery was opened at Bayswater police station.
At 12:21 p.m., HDL Jewelers at Mimosa Mall was robbed by five armed men. Employees were again threatened with firearms and ordered to lie on the ground while the robbers took jewelry and an unknown amount of cash. The suspects all wore black hats and surgical masks.
They fled in three vehicles: a white BMW, a white Volkswagen Golf 7 and a white Mercedes-Benz. Two shots were fired inside the store, but no injuries were reported. A business robbery case has been opened at the police station on Parkweg.
The entrance to Mimosa Mall was closed off by police and emergency workers. Photo: Facebook/Mpandulo Lawrance
The robbers who robbed the jewelry stores in Bloemfontein may be linked to a robbery at Walmer Park shopping center in Gqeberha that took place on Tuesday, the day of the arrests.
Eastern Cape police spokesperson Sgt. Majola Nkohli said at least three vehicles were involved in the robbery, with one of the vehicles heading towards Bloemfontein.
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