MASERU — Police say they are looking for three armed men who allegedly shot dead a security guard before robbing him of M185 000 at Thabong on Saturday.
The fourth suspect has since been arrested and is expected to appear in court soon.
Police spokesperson Masupha Masupha said the four attacked the 72-year-old former police officer as he was going to deposit the money at the bank.
The deceased was working at a shop in Borokhoaneng.
Masupha said the incident happened at the Thabong traffic circle when the four blocked the deceased’s way with a red Toyotta Corolla.
“The armed suspects started firing towards the (man’s) vehicle when he stopped. He died on the spot,” he said.
The gang then took a bag containing the money from the car and fled, he added.
The vehicle allegedly used by the suspects during the robbery was found deserted around the Borokhoaneng area.
When the police arrived at the scene they discovered that the deceased had an open wound above the right eye.
A 9mm firearm and six bullets were found beside the deceased.
Masupha said the suspects are also wanted in connection with other armed robbery cases that are pending in the courts.
They had been released on bail.
Police said the suspect who is in police custody escaped from prison in Bloemfontein, South Africa.
“South African police are looking for him,” Masupha said.
He said the police had the details of the three suspects on the run as they had been involved in other incidents involving armed robbery before.
In a separate incident, two people from Mokhotlong were arrested last week after they were found in possession of two diamonds.
According to a police report the two, aged 20 and 23 respectively, were arrested after they failed to produce licences showing they were authorised diamond dealers.
“The suspects were found with two diamonds and they were arrested immediately as they did not have a licence,” Masupha said.
He said the two were in police custody and would appear in court soon.
