Three suspects have been arrested after a pastor and his wife were robbed at a gunpoint in their church premises in Oppenheimer Shopping Complex in Thabong on Wednesday, 16 February.
Lejweleputswa police spokesperson Stephen Thakeng said a multi-disciplinary team acted on information received and preliminary investigation by Thabong Task Team led to arrest of these suspects.
According to Thakeng, it is alleged that at about 06:46 an unknown man entered the church premises and pointed the husband and the wife with a firearm.
“The couple fought back and the suspect grabbed a laptop and ran away,” said Thakeng.
“The pastor chased the suspect, until the suspect dropped the laptop, bag, sweater and a mask next to one of the house in Oppenheimer Park,” added Thakeng.
He said the pastor picked up the laptop and then instantly reported the incident to the Thabong police station.
“Thabong Task Team comprising of Sergeant Gauta Mavundla, Constables Jwalane Nthebe, Donald Tlhomeli and Vumile Zondwane followed the complaint at a house where the suspect resides after a thorough investigation,” said Thakeng.
Thakeng said the apprehended suspect revealed during the interrogation that his accomplices are in the same vicinity as his.
“He led the task team members to another house in the same vicinity of Oppenheimer Park. Two African males were found and a request was made to search and while members were busy searching, a revolver handgun with no ammunitions was found behind the shack in the same yard of the premises,” Thakeng further explained.
The first suspect aged 34-years-old was arrested for business robbery and the two suspects aged 30 and 34-years-old are facing possession of unlicensed firearm.
The three suspects will appear soon before the Welkom Magistrate Court.
“We regard these arrests and seizure of a firearm as a breakthrough, as this firearm could have committed other serious crimes, thanks to the Task Team led by Sergeant Mavundla,” said District Commissioner of Lejweleputswa, Maj General Lerato Molale.
“My appreciation also goes to residents of Oppenheimer Park who assisted the police,” she added.
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