Boy, 13, caught with loaded pistol after police foot chase - IOL

A 13-year-old boy allegedly broke into his grandfathers safe and took his Norinco Pistol in the Free State area. Police placed the boy under arrest for being in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

A 13-year-old boy was arrested for being in unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition in the Free State on Saturday.

Police said a probation officer was brought in, and all necessary documentation was completed. Police explained the circumstances surrounding his arrest to his mother. The boy was then released under parental supervision.

Police said he will appear before the Welkom Magistrate's Court this week. Police officers attached to the Welkom Public Order Policing (POP) platoon arrested the boy while conducting crime prevention duties in the Thabong area. 

“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. When police arrived at the identified house, they saw a boy jumping over the fence,” police said.

According to police, the officers gave chase on foot and apprehended him at a nearby open field.  Police searched the boy and allegedly found a Norinco pistol and seven rounds of live ammunition.

“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.