Police arrested two cash-in-transit robbery suspects and recovered stolen money within three hours of the crime on Saturday, 23 May 2026.
The robbery took place at Cash and Carry in Welkom at approximately 12:40. Six armed suspects accosted security officers who were collecting money from the store. The suspects forced the guards to lie down and ordered them to open the cash van.
The suspects fled with an undisclosed amount of money, three firearms belonging to the security officers, bulletproof vests, and a hand radio.
Free State Crime Intelligence gathered information on the suspects’ whereabouts and mobilized members of the Tactical Response Team and the Public Order Policing unit.
Police traced the suspects to a house in Welkom at approximately 15:00. A shootout ensued. Some suspects fled. Two known CIT robbery suspects were arrested.
Police recovered an undisclosed amount of stolen money and other items linked to the robbery.
Free State Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Solomon Lesia said: “These arrests demonstrate the importance of intelligence-led policing and coordinated operational responses. Those suspects who managed to escape arrest are being pursued and it is only a matter of time before they are brought to justice.”
The two suspects face charges of armed robbery, attempted murder, and possession of suspected stolen property. They are expected to appear in court soon.
