Metal thieves nabbed
According to Lieutenant PN Naidoo, Berea SAPS communications officer, a security guard started his shift at a business premises in Essenwood Road last Wednesday evening when he heard noises from inside the yard. “He phoned the police who quickly responded and went to check with them and found the suspects carrying steel pipes and wires,” he said. The 22 and 23-year-old suspects were arrested and detained at Berea SAPS.
Employee arrested for computer theft
A 24-year-old man was arrested for stealing a computer from his office.
According to Lt Naidoo, a man was working at his Overport Drive office when one of his colleagues came in with someone. “The second employee and suspect asked to use the toilet. When the suspect came out he was carrying a bag and left. The employee didn’t think anything unusual until he later realised that a desktop computer and phone had been stolen.”
The man called the police who responded and the suspect was later picked up and detained for theft at Berea SAPS.
Man caught red handed in car
A man was arrested for theft when he broke into a vehicle on Friday.
According to Lt Naidooo, the driver had locked and parked her car outside her office in Marriot Road. When she looked out the window a short while later she saw a man sitting in the driver seat and screamed. “The suspect ran away but the police were called and the suspect was arrested on Currie Road within the hour,” said Naidoo. The suspect was detained at Berea SAPS.
ATM thief caught at mall
A man was arrested for theft after trying to scam someone at an ATM at The Atrium shopping centre on Saturday.
According to Lt PN Naidoo, the man was making a withdrawal at a bank when he was approached by a suspicious man. “The man asked the complainant to press cancel and immediately pressed it for him and the card did not come out of the machine. The shocked man immediately phoned his mother and while his mother was on her way to him, he received an sms stating R5000 had been withdrawn from his account.”
The complainant approached the suspect and was assaulted by him before the suspect ran away. “They got assistance from security guards to arrest the suspect and detain him until police got to the scene.”
Awareness
Lt Naidoo of Berea SAPS advised the community to refrain from leaving valuables in their vehicles after he noticed reports where people were still leaving valuables such as laptops, wallets, jackets and tablets visible in their cars. “This is especially common with people visiting the area so residents need to advise their visitors to refrain from doing this,” he added.
Naidoo said people were also still accepting help from strangers at ATMS. “If you do not know how to use the ATM rather go into the bank.”
Late reporting of serious cases was also a problem. According to Naidoo, it actually hampers the investigation because valuable clues are lost. “Reporting of false cases will also not be tolerated and the person will be charged and brought before the court,” he warned.
