During a high-speed chase and a shoot-out with the Welkom K9 Unit, automatic rifles were used by the four heavily armed men who were fleeing the police.
On 10 May at 16:00 an armed robbery was reported at Kwik-Fit in Welkom.
“Four suspects armed with automatic rifles and handguns sped away from the scene in a white Mercedes-Benz with Gauteng number plates,” says Capt. Stephen Thakeng, media liaison officer for the Lejweleputswa SAPS.
The same vehicle was seen in Odendaalsrus the following day, this time with Free State number plates.
“The occupants of the vehicle saw that they were being monitored and sped off in the direction of Welkom,” says Thakeng.
The vehicle was spotted in the industrial area in Stateway. The members of the Welkom K9 Unit gave chase and suspects shot at police with automatic rifles and 9 mm handguns.
Thakeng says the driver of the Mercedes-Benz lost control and landed in a ditch at the entrance to Bronville.
“The suspects then hijacked a couple in a BMW and sped off towards the Masimong Mine, where the vehicle was found abandoned. The suspects are on the run and they are armed and dangerous.
“The K9 Unit vehicle is riddled with bullets, but no police member was injured. A case of attempted murder and business robbery in Welkom has been registered for investigation. Investigation continues to check whether the sedan has been stolen or not,” says Thakeng.
Anyone with information regarding this incident must contact Sgt. Andrew Lechesa of Welkom Serious and Violent Crime on 060-985-9330 or 086-00-10111.
- In a second high speed chase in Welkom, scarcely three days later, one man was shot during a shoot-out between the police and heavily armed robbers near the Reahola Complex adjacent to Stateway on 14 May.
At about 13:00 Welkom police were informed about a bakery truck and a tuck shop being robbed at the complex.
They then received information about armed suspects travelling in a silver Toyota Etios with GP number plates. The vehicle was spotted in Milner Road. The police signalled to the driver to stop.
The men ignored the instruction to drop their weapons, which were aimed at police officers. The police fired in response and one suspect was shot in his upper body, and was transported to hospital.
The other suspects were arrested by the Welkom Flying Squad.
Three firearms (one a police-issue Z88 pistol with numbers filed off), ammunition, police handcuffs, a large knife, pepper spray and hand gloves were confiscated.
The Toyota Etios with GP number plates (suspected to have been stolen) and a safe robbed from the bakery delivery truck were also seized.
The suspects are facing, amongst others, charges of business robbery and attempted murder.
