Four suspects were arrested and detained on charges of house robbery and possession of unlicensed firearms in Alice in the Eastern Cape on Saturday.
According to police, the robbery happened at a farm in Alice at around 05:45, when the suspects, who were traveling in Toyota Quantum, held two farm employees at gunpoint.
Police spokesperson Captain Marius McCarthy said the four gun-toting suspects started to assault the two farm employees and also held them at gunpoint.
"During the commotion, some of the suspects managed to load seven sheep inside a kombi before fleeing the scene.
"The farm owner, who was not at the premises, was immediately alerted, and he activated the private security company and the local police station."
The getaway vehicle (kombi) was circulated on all police radio channels. "As the farm owner was on his way to the farm, he spotted the kombi and followed it while at the same time updating the police as he was driving."
Moments later, police stopped the getaway vehicle on the N10, near Patensie.
The four suspects and the seven stolen sheep were in the vehicle at the time of their arrest.
Two unlicensed firearms were also found in the vehicle.
Sarah Baartman District Commissioner, Major General Zolani Xawuka, applauded everyone involved for their excellent teamwork.
"A prompt response and proper coordination from all the operational teams was crucial, which led to the arrest and the recovery of firearms and stolen stock," he said.
