Two house invasions were reported in Jerusalem Park, committed by people who claimed to be police officers.
Laptops and cellphones were robbed in separate incidents.
Information was followed up by Welkom Public Order Policing members who arrested house robbery suspects and those who bought suspected stolen items.
On Sunday, 21 May 2023 at about 03:00 and on Tuesday, 23 May 2023 at about 02:00, unknown suspects approached two houses in separate incidents, where they posed as police officers with bullet-proof vests.
During those house invasions, laptops and cellphones were robbed at gunpoint.
On 23 May 2023, members of Welkom Public Order Policing received a tip-off about a known suspect, which was followed up. This led members to a house in Thabong where a 29-year-old man was found. He took members to a house in Goshawk Street in Flamingo Park, Welkom.
The remaining suspects were not found at the residence, but shortly after, a white Volkswagen Polo was seen passing the house at high speed.
The police gave chase and they managed to arrest two suspects. A grey Renault vehicle, with Free State registration numbers, was also seized as it was apparently used as a getaway car during the commission of the crimes. Four additional suspects were arrested thereafter as police investigations continued and stolen goods were found in their possession.
The seven suspects arrested, are facing two counts of house robbery, possession of unlicensed ammunition, possession of suspected stolen property and possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle.
They will appear in the Welkom Magistrate Court on 26 May 2023.
