Odendaalsrus : On the 26 July 2021 at about 17:50, a 31 year old foreign national business owner was with his assistant at a supermarket when two armed men entered.
Suspects instructed both men to lie of the floor and allegedly robbed them of an undisclosed amount of cash and cigarettes then fled the scene.
The police were alerted and at the scene, a cellphone believed to belong to one of the suspects was found.
At the same time suspects came back to the supermarket to fetch the phone, with the hope that they won't be recognized. The complainant recognized them and informed the police at the scene.
The two jumped inside a blue Toyota Conquest and fired shots at the direction of the police whilst driving off. Members returned fire and the fleeing suspects hit a taxi sedan causing an accident. This sedan vehicle was shot on its tyre and the vehicle became stationery, then three suspects jumped out of the vehicle and fled on foot.
Residents, SAPS and taxi drivers gave chase and a 35-year-old suspect from Thabong Welkom was arrested inside a furrow full of water.
The second suspect was arrested later at about 21:15 by members of Public Order Policing who were patrolling in R730 Kutloanong and Welkom, whilst on a hiking spot towards Kroonstad. The suspect (57) from Vosloorus in Gauteng tried to flee but was arrested him and a 9mm Pietro Barletta with one live ammunition found in his possession.
The vehicle and cellphone (found inside the supermarket) were seized and the third suspect is still at large. The two suspects are facing charges of business robbery, possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition and attempted murder. They will appear in Odendaalsrus Magistrates' Court soon.
The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane applauded residents of Kutloanong who assisted the police to ensure that these two suspects were arrested.