The police in Mangaung Metro are continuing their search for suspects following the murder of a young police official and armed robberies at two different grocery stores in Wepener.
On Tuesday, 10 May 2022, members at Wepener Community Service Centre received a complaint of armed robbery from Sarbonia Supermarket in town at about 19:20. A patrol vehicle with two officers responded to the complaint.
The members heard gunshots from De Wet Street and rushed to the scene where a shootout ensued between the suspects and SAPS members. The 22-year-old Police Constable was hit by bullets on the neck and upper body and was declared deceased by EMS personnel. The Warrant Officer hit by a bullet on the left arm and was rushed to hospital in Bloemfontein.
In a separate incident also in Wepener, a supermarket was robbed by unknown suspects. According to the manager at the store, four unknown armed men stormed into the store and threatened the security officer to switch off the alarm.
They then forced the manager to open the safe and helped themselves to an undisclosed amount of money. They also looted the store of several grocery items and then locked the security officer and staff inside the supermarket. Police officers managed to free the people who were locked inside the supermarket.
Information was followed and a 34-year-old suspect was arrested on R26 Road between Wepener and Hobhouse. The police are still searching for other suspects in Wepener town and surrounding areas.
Anyone with information that can lead to the arrest of outstanding suspects is requested to call Captain Shuping at 082 691 1589. Alternatively, information can be submitted via the MySAPS App or call Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
