BETHAL – Two armed robbers were caught and arrested at the N17 bridge in Bethal this morning, 7 February.
The two are suspected of robbing Pep Stores in Morgenzon earlier this morning before fleeing towards Bethal in a black Volvo.
Mr Hennie Bekker, the regional organiser of AfriForum, was also driving from the direction of Morgenzon and heading to Bethal when two men in a black Volvo overtook him at a high speed.
“I then overtook them. Just then I received notification of the robbery and a description of the getaway car,” said Mr Bekker.
He alerted the Bethal CPF and the farmers in the area that he had the suspected vehicle in sight.
He slowed down so that the suspects could again overtake and he then followed them into the town.
At this stage, the police, CPF members and security officers (HABPS) were also following the suspects.
“I think the driver realised near the Spur restaurant that they were being followed. The car sped up and we took chase through the intersections straight onto the N17,” explained Mr Bekker.
The police tried to pull over the suspects and a shootout ensued.
The driver made a sudden turn onto the Kriel/ Ogies offramp, but lost control over the vehicle and ended up in the veld.
Mr Bekker said the driver remained in the car and was arrested by Mr David Townsend from HABPS.
The fleeing passenger was quickly apprehended by the police.
