While one of the suspects is expected to appear in court on Monday (20/7), police are continuing their search for alleged accomplices who remain at large. In the meantime, they have recovered two stolen vehicles and are now appealing to the public for information that could help track down the remaining suspects.

In the first incident, a parolee, 46, is expected to appear in court on Monday after he was arrested when a stolen vehicle was recovered at a property in Thaba Nchu.

The arrest follows a violent business robbery that took place on Friday,10 July at a shop in Section U, Botshabelo. Police said four heavily armed men entered the business at about 20:00, held two shopkeepers at gunpoint and assaulted them while demanding cash and cell phones.

Before fleeing, the suspects allegedly stole the keys to one of the victims’ blue Volkswagen Touran and drove off with the vehicle. Boithuso police opened cases of business robbery and theft of a vehicle while investigations continued.

“The parolee is expected to appear in court tomorrow after being arrested in connection with a stolen vehicle recovered in Thaba Nchu,” said Free State police spokesperson Sgt. Mahlomola Kareli.

“The suspect is currently out on parole after being sentenced to six years’ imprisonment in 2023. He now faces charges of possession of a suspected stolen vehicle, as well as business robbery and theft of a vehicle.”

 Meanwhile, in a separate case, Free State police are appealing for information that could lead to the arrest of a second suspect following a home invasion and vehicle theft in the Bainsvlei policing area.

The incident occurred on Friday (17/7) evening when a man, 53, and his brother arrived at their home in Langenhoven Park. As they entered the property, they were allegedly confronted by two armed, masked suspects who held them at gunpoint.

The suspects allegedly robbed the brothers of cash, cell phones and other personal belongings before demanding the keys to a silver-grey Hyundai Getz and fleeing in the vehicle.

During the operation, police arrested a suspect, 39, and seized an unlicensed firearm, suspected stolen police trousers, pieces of South African National Defence Force uniform and several suspected stolen bank cards.

“The suspect has been charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of suspected stolen property and is expected to appear in court soon,” said Kareli.

“Police have since recovered the stolen Hyundai Getz after it was found abandoned, while the search for the second suspect continues.”

OFM News/Zenande Mpame dg

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