Three suspects were arrested in a hospital in Welkom after they allegedly robbed and shot the owner of a bottle store in Riebeeckstad.
On Friday, at about 20:15, members of the Welkom police received a complaint of an armed robbery at a bottle store in Lois Street, Riebeeckstad, Welkom. On arrival, there were four cartridges and the lifeless body of the business owner. The owner was fatally shot.
According to Capt. Stephen Thakeng, media liaison officer for the Lejweleputswa police, the police followed information indicating that the same three suspects were receiving medical attention at the Bongani hospital. One suspect who was wounded remains under police guard.
A police statement states that, according to witnesses, three suspects exited a white Toyota Tazz with dark windows. Allegedly, one witness also fired several shots in the direction of the fleeing suspects.
While police members of Welkom visible policing, Welkom K9 unit, and Welkom Flying Squad were still at the crime scene, they received information about suspects matching the description of the armed robbers receiving medical attention.
On their arrival, three suspects were found, one of whom had sustained a bullet wound on his upper left shoulder.
The two accomplices, aged 20 and 27 years old, were arrested, and the 32-year-old suspect is under police guard in the hospital.
The three suspects will be facing charges of business robbery and murder.
