FREE STATE — Bloemfontein police have arrested five suspects in a coordinated operation targeting armed robbery and drug trafficking. Members of the Public Order Police Unit apprehended the individuals and seized an unlicensed firearm along with a cache of Mandrax following a foot pursuit and a subsequent raid in the city.
Foot Pursuit and Armed Robbery Arrests
The operation began when officers from Platoon 6 were patrolling the M10 Road. They spotted a group of men running across an open veld toward the Pieter Swarts area in Bloemside 2. Suspecting criminal activity, the officers pursued the group on foot to investigate.
During the chase, two victims approached the police, reporting that they had just been robbed at gunpoint by the fleeing men. Operators from Platoon 5 quickly joined the pursuit, leading to the successful apprehension of four males between the ages of 24 and 28.
A spokesperson for the Public Order Police Unit confirmed that officers recovered a 9mm silver pistol and a magazine containing one live round from the suspects during the arrest.
Freedom Square Drug Raid
Acting on further intelligence gathered from the initial arrests, the police team raided a suspected drug house in Freedom Square. During a search of the premises, officers seized five full, seven half, and eight quarter Mandrax tablets.
A 30-year-old man was arrested at the scene and charged with possession of and dealing in illicit drugs.
Multiple Dockets Registered
The police spokesperson noted that multiple case dockets have been opened to reflect the severity of the offenses. A case of robbery with a firearm was registered at the Kopanong Police Station, while a separate docket for the possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition was opened at the Bloemspruit Police Station. The drug-related charges were also docketed at Kopanong.
All five suspects are in custody and are scheduled to appear before the Bloemfontein Magistrates’ Court soon.
