Police Arrest Trio with R2 Million in Stolen Goods

Free State Police Arrest Three, Recover R2 Million in Stolen Groceries

Free State police have arrested three suspects and recovered a truckload of stolen groceries valued at approximately R2 million. The successful interception occurred late Thursday night along the N1 highway near Parys.

A coordinated effort between Sasolburg Highway Patrol Relief D and Kroonstad Highway Patrol Relief C led to the breakthrough. Police spokesperson Sergeant Josephine Rani confirmed the arrests took place on October 23, 2025.

Swift Action on the N1

The operation began around 22:30 when Sasolburg highway patrol officers noticed a suspicious truck parked on the side of the N1. The driver was connecting trailers under the cover of darkness. Upon questioning, the 31-year-old driver could not provide any invoice for the truck or its valuable cargo.

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Police immediately contacted the registered owner of the vehicle. The owner confirmed the groceries were his but stated his truck was a Volvo model, not the MAN truck found at the scene. Authorities promptly arrested the first suspect on charges of possessing suspected stolen property.

Coordinated Arrests Lead to Recovery

Following the initial arrest, the Sasolburg team alerted their counterparts in Kroonstad to search for the missing Volvo truck head. Kroonstad Highway Patrol soon located the vehicle with two male occupants. The suspects, aged 33 and 39, matched the provided description.

Officers arrested both men on the same charges. The recovery of the stolen goods, a massive load of mixed groceries, represents a significant victory for the Free State police. The total value of the recovered items is estimated at R2 million.

The three suspects are scheduled to appear in the Kroonstad and Parys Magistrate’s Courts. Sergeant Rani praised the teamwork between the two highway patrol units. She stated their vigilance directly led to the recovery of stolen goods and the arrest of those responsible. This operation demonstrates the effectiveness of coordinated police work in the Free State.