Probe into theft of police firearm at Free State tavern

The theft was caught on camera, with the video making the rounds on social media.  

In the video a man, believed to be under the influence of alcohol, disarmed the female police officer.

Police spokesperson Motantsi Makhele says the incident took place about a week ago.

“On her way to the police station she noticed a group of people standing outside a local tavern.  She stopped trying to find out what was going on, speaking to patrons who were with the son of one of her colleagues.

“While speaking to one of the patrons, the 22-yea- old suspect, known to her as the son of her colleague who is  a police official  at Tweeling, opened the vehicle door and without saying anything grabbed the her service pistol from the holster,” explains Makhele.

“He started firing some shots randomly in the air and the Sergeant realised that she would need back up, she drove away while contacting neighbouring stations for backup to avoid being shot at.”

Listen to Motantsi Makhele below:

Makhele says when the backup arrived a search party was launched.

“The suspect was found at his friend's premises wearing a police brand new bulletproof vest, members searched the premises and the official's pistol taken from the member was found hidden in a bucket in the room.”

The suspect was arrested for robbery, illegal possession of a firearm, discharging a firearm in a municipal build up area as well as possession of suspected stolen state property.

The 22-year-old suspect appeared in the Tweeling Magistrate’s Court and was denied bail.

He will appear again on April 7

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