The members of SAPS Vrede Community Service Centre and Detective Service reacted swiftly to alleged business robbery complaint at a tuck-shop in Thembalihle Township near Vrede. They arrested three suspects, recovered the robbed items and seized an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

It is alleged that on 02 December 2021 at about 07:50 a tuck-shop owner opened for business with a few customers at hand. Apparently, three men, would be customers, approached the tuck-shop. One of the three pretended to buy something. Suddenly, he was shocked when they grabbed him, allegedly robbing items such as undisclosed amount of cash, airtime voucher machine, two cellphones and chocolates. In the process, the suspect who was in possession of a firearm, fired a shot but no persons were injured. They left the tuck-shop on foot.

The police arrived on the scene and gathered information which led them to Extension Four of Thembalihle new location. They identified a certain house at which they found three suspects matching the description gathered at the crime scene and almost all robbed items in their possession. The alleged used firearm was found hidden in a grass in the same yard and seized. It was discovered that the firearm’s owner was in Gauteng Province. They are expected to be charged and appear before the Vrede Magistrates’ court soon facing charges of business robbery.

Source: South African Police Service