Armed suspects nabbed in Kimberley after botched robbery at Boshof liquor store
THE POLICE in the Northern Cape were lauded after three armed men who were allegedly involved in a botched Free State business robbery were arrested as they entered Kimberley on Tuesday.
Members attached to the Kimberley Flying Squad intercepted a white Mercedes-Benz that the three suspects were travelling in as they entered Kimberley on the Boshof Road just after 10am.
Northern Cape police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Sergio Kock said five men attempted to rob a liquor store in Boshof in the Free State early on Tuesday morning and threatened and employee with a firearm.
“The owner of the bottle store managed to escape and this caused the suspects to flee the scene,” Kock said.
“The Boshof police alerted Kimberley and the Flying Squad tactically intercepted the white Mercedes-Benz near Cassandra on the Boshof Road.”
Kock said the vehicle was searched and the police found rounds of 9mm ammunition, balaclavas, grinders and other equipment believed to be used in robberies.
The three men were arrested for the illegal possession of ammunition.
“The police followed up on leads and another two male suspects were arrested at a house in Boshof hours later by the Kimberley Flying Squad, the Kimberley SAPS Visible Policing unit and the Boshof SAPS,” said Kock.
“The white Mercedes-Benz was confiscated as it was allegedly utilised in the commission of a crime,” Kock added.
The possibility of the suspects being linked to other business robberies in Boshof and surrounding areas cannot be ruled out.
The suspects are expected to appear in court soon.
The Northern Cape police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Koliswa Otola, welcomed the arrests and commended the SAPS members from the Northern Cape and Free State provinces for “a job well done”.