13-year-old arrested in Thabong after foot chase; loaded Norinco pistol recovered

A 13-year-old boy was arrested in the Thabong area of the Free State after police officers recovered a loaded pistol and seven rounds of ammunition following a foot chase.

How police tracked and caught the boy

Police officers attached to the Welkom Public Order Policing (POP) platoon were conducting crime prevention duties in Thabong when they received information about someone allegedly in possession of a firearm. “Police received intelligence that someone in the Thabong area was allegedly in possession of a firearm. Information was followed up and led members to an address in Thabong,” police said.

When officers arrived at the identified house they saw a boy jumping over a fence. The officers chased him on foot and apprehended him in a nearby open field. A search of the boy allegedly turned up a Norinco pistol and seven rounds of live ammunition.

After the arrest

Preliminary investigations established that the suspect was a minor. Police said the firearm belonged to his grandfather and that the firearm safe had been broken to gain access to the weapon.

A probation officer was brought in and all necessary documentation was completed. Police explained the circumstances surrounding the arrest to the boy’s mother, and the boy was released under parental supervision.

Next steps

Police said the boy will appear before the Welkom Magistrate’s Court this week.

Context from police statement

“It was then established that the suspect was a minor. Preliminary investigations revealed that the firearm belonged to his grandfather and that the firearm safe had been broken to gain access to the firearm,” Police said.