Two arrested after series of armed house robberies in Motherwell; stolen iPhones recovered

Timeline of the incidents

The first robbery occurred on 31 July 2026 at a home in Mgwenyana Street, NU6, Motherwell. Police said four armed men wearing surgical masks and balaclavas forced their way into the house after the complainant opened the front door, threatened the complainant and her daughter with firearms and stole an Apple iPhone SE valued at about R3,500. No injuries were reported.

The second robbery happened on 3 August 2026 at a residence in Ngadla Street, NU9, Motherwell. In that incident, police said three armed suspects entered through an open kitchen door, threatened occupants with firearms and took two Apple iPhone 11 cellphones valued at approximately R9,200. The suspects fled in a maroon Toyota Tazz.

Investigation and arrests

Members of the Motherwell Cluster Trio Task Team intensified their enquiries and, according to SAPS, interviewed victims and gathered information that led them to the maroon Toyota Tazz allegedly used in the robberies. The vehicle was traced to Mbabala Street in Ikamvelihle, where police arrested the driver.

Police said the driver allegedly admitted he had been hired to transport the suspects and remained in the vehicle while they entered the targeted homes, and that the suspects returned carrying stolen iPhones after the robberies. Further investigations led officers to two male suspects, aged 25 and 27, who are believed to be connected to both incidents. The Toyota Tazz was seized and impounded as evidence.

“The swift investigation by the Motherwell Cluster Trio Task Team has resulted in the arrest of two suspects allegedly linked to two house robberies committed in Motherwell within a period of four days,” Van Rensburg.

Next steps

Police said the suspects are expected to appear in the Motherwell Magistrate’s Court during the week on charges of house robbery. The investigation remains ongoing and authorities said more arrests are expected as detectives pursue the remaining suspects believed to have participated in the robberies.