Alert motorist’s message to BCT leads to arrest of two men

A community member’s tip-off to the City Times led to the arrest of two people in the Benoni CBD this morning (September 15).

A photo taken by an alert motorist, Roberto Pietropaolo, was sent to the City Times.

Just after 9am, Benoni City Times columnist Roberto Pietropaolo sent two photos of a man who he said stole hub caps off a vehicle on O’Reilly Merry Street, in Northmead.

The City Times then sent the information to a member of the Benoni Community Policing Forum (CPF), who posted a look-out on CPF forums.

One of the men who allegedly stole hub caps off a vehicle on O’Reilly Merry Street.

Capt Nomsa Sekele, Benoni SAPS spokesperson, said the police’s K9 members saw a chase in the Benoni CBD, at the Benoni Plaza.

“They (police) saw this and asked those involved what they were doing,” said Sekele.

“The two suspects were already cornered by the community when members from the K9 unit arrived.”

The two men, aged 25 and 26, were found in possession of four hub caps that are from a Ford Figo which was parked just off O’Reilly Merry Street.

The two are due to be charged with theft from a motor vehicle and possession of suspected stolen items.

They are expected to appear in the Benoni Magistrate’s Court on Monday.