A man who may have been part of a purse snatching ring operating at various shopping centres was arrested on Saturday morning last week.
Unfortunately, the man was later released after it was found that his victim did not open a case.
The arrest of the man followed the release of closed circuit television (CCTV) camera footage on YouTube.
According to a Facebook Page, the Public Servant News Network Johannesburg on July 10, the video was posted by Mr Carlos Arantes.
Information submitted with the video suggested the video footage was of a purse thief operating at the Karaglen Shopping Center in Edenglen in May this year.
“Please note that it is my wife on the left with my son in the trolley and both of the ladies in the video are working together. There were two males waiting outside in the parking area with a maroon Toyota Tazz. They stole my wife’s purse with about R1 500 and a brand new Samsung phone.” (SIC) the message with the video stated.
On Friday, July 11, the NEWS passed the footage to the Edenvale SAPS as well as the Karaglen Shopping Centre management for comment.
“When we received the footage, we passed it on to our security for immediate investigation. A lookout was circulated for the vehicle,” said Mr Harry Karamichael.
“By Saturday morning, the vehicle and one occupant was taken into custody and handed over to the Edenvale SAPS for processing,” he added.
The acting spokesperson for the Edenvale SAPS, Lieutenant Colonel Robbie Roberts, confirmed that the man was handed to the SAPS.
“The complainant in this matter did not open a case. We went back on our records from the end of April but there were no cases reported at the Karaglen Shopping Centre of handbag thieves, purse snatchers or pick pockets,” said Lt Col Roberts.
“After profiling the man, we had no other choice but to release him as there was no case against him.
He urged all residents who fall victim to such crimes to not let it slip but to open a case.
