Two wanted suspects in a cash-in-transit (CIT) robbery have been arrested and stolen cash has been recovered following a robbery at a business in Welcome in the Free State.
According to SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Covane, the incident took place at Cash and Carry at around 12.40pm on Saturday, when security officers were collecting money from the store.
Covane said six armed suspects allegedly overpowered the guards during the attack robbery.
“The guards were allegedly accosted by six-armed suspects who forced them to lie down before being ordered to open the door. money wagon” he said.
The suspects fled with an undisclosed amount of money, security officers’ firearms, bulletproof vests and a handheld radio.
Following the incident, Crime Intelligence gathered information that led to a coordinated police operation involving the Tactical Response Team (TRT) and Public Order Policing (POP).
“The police operationalized the information and traced the suspects to a house in Welcome around 3 p.m.”
Upon arrival, a shootout broke out between the police and the suspects. Some of the suspects managed to escape, while two were known Armed robbery of the CIT suspects were arrested.
It is expected that the suspects will be charged in connection with the robbery as the investigation continues.
“These arrests demonstrate the importance of intelligence-led policing and coordinated operational responses. We commend all members involved for their courage and commitment.
“The suspects who escaped arrest are being pursued and it is only a matter of time before they are brought to justice,” Free State Lieutenant General Solomon Lesia said.
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Xolile Mtembu
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