FREE STATE SAPS RECOVER STOLEN CIT MONEY, WITHIN THREE HOURS OF COMMISSION OF CRIME

Recovered Cash

By: Neo Ntsele

The SAPS Provincial Commissioner of the Free State, Lieutenant General Solomon Lesia, has applauded a multidisciplinary team led by Crime Intelligence for the successful arrest of two wanted cash-in-transit (CIT) robbery suspects and the recovery of stolen money following a cross pavement robbery in Welkom.

The incident occurred at Cash and Carry in Welkom when security officers were collecting money from the store on Saturday, 23 May 2026, at around 12:40.

The security guards were allegedly accosted by six armed suspects who forced them to lie down before ordering them to open the cash van.

The suspects fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of money, three firearms belonging to the security officers, bulletproof vests and a hand radio.

Following the incident, Free State Crime Intelligence gathered information on the whereabouts of the suspects and mobilised members of the Tactical Response Team (TRT) and the Public Order Policing (POP) unit.

Police operationalised the information and traced the suspects to a house in Welkom at around 15:00.

Upon arrival, a shootout ensued between police and the suspects.

Some of the suspects managed to flee the scene, while two known CIT armed robbery suspects were arrested.

During the operation, police recovered an undisclosed amount of stolen money as well as other items linked to the robbery.

Lieutenant General Solomon Lesia commended the multidisciplinary team for their swift response and intelligence-driven operation.

“These arrests demonstrate the importance of intelligence-led policing and coordinated operational responses. We commend all members involved for their bravery and commitment. Those suspects who managed to escape arrest are being pursued and it is only a matter of time before they are brought to justice,” said Lesia.

The two suspects are expected to appear before court soon on charges relating to armed robbery, attempted murder and possession of suspected stolen property.