Hero returns woman’s bag and R3000 after chasing robbers

A good Samaritan came to the rescue of a Theunissen woman who was robbed when she attempted to buy a firearm on Thursday.

He was driving past just as the incident occurred and bravely chased down the two armed robbers. He managed to recover the woman’s handbag which contained R3000 in cash that they had just stolen from her.

Freestate SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Motantsi Makhele said the woman, who wanted to purchase a firearm, was instead held up at gunpoint by two armed robbers. He said the robbers had attempted to sell her a toy gun. A chase by the police and the Good Samaritan ensued.

Makehele said that the woman had allegedly attempted to buy an illegal firearm from the two suspects at around 10.45am on Thursday morning.

“A woman wanted to buy a firearm and was robbed. She met with the alleged sellers in Potgieter street in Theunissen when she realised that they had given her a toy gun,” Makhele said.

Makehele said that one of the suspects had pointed a firearm at her and they then robbed her of her handbag, which contained R3000 in cash. The suspects fled the scene of the crime on foot.

“A patriotic male who was driving by saw the robbery and chased the suspects until he managed to get the victim’s handbag with R3000 and gave it back to her.  The police were alerted and the suspects traced. After a police chase, two foreigners were arrested,” Makhele said. 

Makhele said the police had recovered a 9mm Girsan firearm with four live rounds of ammunition and a toy gun, on the suspects. 

“The suspects are facing charges of armed robbery, possession of  an unlicensed firearm and ammunition and illegal immigration. 

The two suspects are expected to appear in the Theunissen Magistrates Court on Monday 23 August 2021 to face the charges.