Police arrest parolee for business robbery, hunt continues for accomplices

An elderly parolee has been arrested for business robbery, after the police instigated a hunt for the alleged suspects, where a 58-year-old was clamped down, while his accomplices fled the scene.

“Five armed suspects robbed cash and cellphones at Bothaville grocery store, and a 58 year old man was arrested in North West, manhunt launched for other four suspects,” said police spokesperson captain Stephen Thakeng in the district.

Thakeng said on Thursday, 31 March, at about 19:15 the grocery store was about to close when five African men armed with had guns ordered the employees to lie on the floor.

“Cash was robbed from the safe and cellphones of the employees were robbed.

The suspects left the scene with a silver Toyota Avanza with North West registration number,” he said.

Thakeng said while the robbery was in progress, a resident of Bothaville informed the Acting Station Commander of Bothaville, Lt Col Werna Kruger of the incident.

“He made few calls for back up from Bothaville Police Station and the Bothaville Rural Safety.

He was on the spot when they drove off with their get away car. He gave chase and two shots were fired in his direction but missed him,” detailed Thakeng.

The stolen cash and a firearm and four cellphones belonging to employees of the Bothaville grocery store were found and seized.

“Preliminary investigation reveals that this Toyota Avanza was hi-jacked in Bloemhof on Tuesday and the registration number put on it was of a vehicle of Kanana Orkney.

The manhunt was launched and a 58 year old man was arrested in the bush, who is currently on parool as he was sentenced to 21 years in jail for business robbery,” explained Thakeng.

The suspect is set to appear before the Leeudoringsstad Magistrate Court on Monday, 4 April.

He will be facing charges such as being in possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

On Tuesday, 5 April he will be appearing before the Bothaville Magistrate Court for business robbery, attempted murder.

“The manhunt continues of the other four suspects on the loose, anyone with information leading to their arrests can contact Detective Sergeant Dennis Mokoena of Bothaville Detective Services at cellphone number 082 466 7923 or Police Emergency number 08600 10111,” said Thakeng.