A suspect was arrested only 20 minutes after allegedly stealing two firearms during a robbery at a house in Union Road, Walmer, on Wednesday morning.
The homeowner, who also operates a business from the premises, was accosted at about 8:20am.
Police spokesman Colonel Priscilla Naidu said the 61-year-old woman heard a noise outside when she opened the front door.
“Three men armed with firearms and crowbars pushed her back into the house. They forced her into the bedroom where she was tied up. At that time, the domestic worker was outside in the back yard. She walked into the house and was also accosted by the men and tied up,” she said.
“The men demanded the safe keys and managed to open several safes on the premises. Two firearms were stolen as well as a small sum of money.” 
After the robbery, the two managed to free themselves and alert police.
“A witness saw a black Audi A4 speeding away from the house shortly after the robbery. Within 20 minutes, the vehicle was spotted by police driving in Mpukane Street in Walmer Township. The car was stopped and the driver arrested. At that stage, the only other passenger in the vehicle was a woman,” Naidu said.
“The vehicle was also fitted with false license plates and an expired license disc.”
The woman was taken in for questioning by police.
Naidu said the stolen firearms were not found in the car.
“At this stage we are still attempting to locate the other suspects who escaped,” she said.
A case of business robbery is under investigation.