Three arrests after high-speed chase

Bela-Bela – Three men allegedly stole cell phones and an undisclosed amount of cash from a retail store in Bela-Bela on Monday 2 November. The police chased after them at high-speed and one of the suspects were injured in a shootout. The suspects were arrested along the R511 moments after committing the crime.       

“The police were notified of the robbery and swiftly responded. On arrival, members of the community provided valuable information about the description of the getaway vehicle and the direction it took,” police spokesperson colonel Moatshe Ngoepe said. “Subsequently, the police in North West spotted the vehicle travelling along the R511 heading towards Brits and a car chase ensued with the assistance of a private security company. The suspects started to fire numerous shots at the police who retaliated, and one suspect was shot during the shootout.”

Along with the arrests, the police recovered one firearm and five rounds of live ammunition, one toy gun, an undisclosed amount of cash as well as cell phones which are believed to have been stolen from the store in Bela-Bela.

The injured suspect was taken to hospital for gunshot wounds and was under police guard at the time of going to print. All three suspects are set to appear before the courts to face charges of robbery and the possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition as well as suspected stolen property.