Bakkie chase ends in arrest after alleged kidnapping and business robbery in North West - IOL

A 48-year-old man appeared before the Temba Magistrates’ Court on Friday in connection with a business robbery, kidnapping and possession of suspected stolen property.

The suspect was arrested on Wednesday following a business robbery at a premises in Makapanstad at about 10.30am, North West police said.

According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), a 33-year-old complainant and two employees were offloading wardrobes at a storeroom when two masked men allegedly entered the premises.

One of the men was reportedly armed with a firearm.

The suspects allegedly demanded the victims’ cellphones and instructed them to remove their shoelaces, which were allegedly used to tie their hands.

Police said the suspects then searched the storeroom and allegedly loaded three deep freezers, a double-door refrigerator and two single-door refrigerators onto a company bakkie.

One of the victims, the company driver, was allegedly instructed to drive the vehicle to nearby bushes, where he was told to offload the stolen goods.

He was then allegedly instructed to drive towards the Industrial Site, while one of the suspects remained behind.

The driver returned to the business premises and alerted police, telling them that the suspects and stolen property could possibly still be found in the bushes.

Police said officers went to the area with the victim and subsequently spotted a white bakkie allegedly transporting the stolen property.

They pursued the vehicle and stopped it.

One suspect allegedly fled on foot, while the driver was arrested.

Police said the arrested man could not provide proof of purchase or a satisfactory explanation for the fridges allegedly found in his possession.

Some of the stolen property and the victims’ cellphones were recovered, according to police.

The matter was postponed to October 2 for a formal bail application, and the accused remains in custody.

Police said investigations are continuing and officers are still searching for the suspect who allegedly fled the scene.

North West police provincial commissioner Lieutenant General Arthur Peter Adams commended officers for their response, which led to the recovery of some of the stolen property and the arrest of one suspect.

Police have appealed to anyone with information that could help identify or locate the outstanding suspect to contact investigating officer Detective Sergeant Donald Mametse on 079 881 9938, the nearest police station or Crime Stop on 08600 10111. Anonymous tip-offs can also be submitted through the MySAPS app.