Police apprehended five suspects on Friday, 8 December after they found stolen clothing in their possession.

The suspects allegedly stole clothes from two well-known clothing stores at a Mall in Potchefstroom. The items still had the price tags on them. The suspects could not produce proof of purchase for the items and were subsequently arrested just outside Potchefstroom towards the direction of Klerksdorp.

A car guard became suspicious after the suspects went into the mall in pairs. He alerted a security company and they kept an eye on the suspects’ movements and vehicle.

According to NW police spokesperson, Capt. Sam Tselanyane, the security company’s reaction team tried to stop the suspects’ vehicle and that’s when they sped off and a chase ensued.

“The vehicle was eventually stopped just outside Potchefstroom towards the direction of Klerksdorp. A search was conducted and plastic bags filled with clothes from two well-known clothing stores were found with price tags on them,” stated Tselanyane.

Three women and two men aged between 27 and 54 are expected to appear before the Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 11 December.

“The police will be working with other law enforcement entities in the Province and warn all store managers and employees to be more vigilant during this time of the year as perpetrators of these kind of crimes target stores when it is busy and employees are distracted,” added Tselanyane.

Investigation into the matter continues.