Two suspects arrested and nineteen rifles recovered following a house robbery in Westonaria

Westonaria police have arrested two suspects aged 34 and 44 and recovered nineteen stolen rifles that were taken during a house robbery yesterday.

An elderly couple was ambushed by four suspects while at home and the balaclava-wearing suspects escaped in the couple’s Toyota Hilux bakkie with 19 hunting rifles, knives, and other household goods. The suspects stabbed the wife (66) in the arm and tied her while waiting for her 71-year-old husband who was busy somewhere else. When he came to the house unknowingly, the suspects hit the husband with a hammer on the head and were injured. They also tied him as well before ransacking the house and escaped with the goods.

The couple was rescued by their children who arrived at home late in the evening. They immediately untied them and they went to their neighbors to contact the police. Police reacted swiftly and while they were on their way to take statements from the injured couple, police spotted the couple’s bakkie and a Toyota Avanza driving in the opposite direction. Police made a U-turn and followed the suspects. The suspects stopped on the side of the road and fled on foot. Two suspects were arrested while two others escaped. Police are on the lookout for the suspects.

Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Elias Mawela has commended the members for their swift response on the matter and their commitment and passion to resolve crimes against the elderly and vulnerable persons. “Perseverance and diligence by detectives to bring justice to the families of victims will restore the communities’ faith in the South African Police Service,” said Lieutenant General Elias Mawela.