BLUE Security armed response officers working with the police and residents have arrested several armed robbers who have targeted pedestrians in Glenwood.
Blue Security operations manager Brian Jackson said the suspects, one of which allegedly stabbed their victim, were among eight suspects arrested by the company’s reaction officers in Glenwood and Morningside over the past week.
Jackson said that in the latest case officers had arrested two men on Wednesday morning, 15 July, after they robbed a woman at knife point in Brand Road.
“A resident pressed his panic button and our officer responded to the scene of the robbery where he was given a description of the alleged perpetrators. He patrolled the neighbourhood and found the alleged robbers in Gale Street where they were arrested and handed over to the Umbilo police,” he said.
Jackson said a knife and the victim's cellphone were recovered and handed over to the police who returned the phone to the woman.
He said a third arrest took place on Sunday after reaction officers intervened in a robbery in Helen Joseph (Davenport) Road in the early hours of the morning.
“During routine patrols our officer saw three men wrestling with their victim and when he approached them the men fled. Our officer gave chase and arrested one of the men, recovering a cellphone which was handed over to the police with the suspect,” he said.
Jackson said a further two alleged robbers were arrested at 10.45pm on Saturday after one of the men allegedly stabbed and robbed a man in Ferguson Road.
“Our officers patrolled the area and arrested both alleged robbers in Bulwer Park with the assistance of a local security guard. The men were handed over to the police,” he said.
Jackson said an officer had also arrested a suspect who had allegedly broken into a property and robbed a resident while she was asleep in Newton Place in Glenwood on Wednesday, 15 July.
“The resident awoke screaming after she heard someone shuffling in her room and found the man standing over her. He threatened to shoot her if she did not shut up but then turned and fled with goods he had stolen from her bedroom. Our officer responded to the scene just in time to spot the suspect, who was carrying several bags, and trying to jump over the wall at the back of the property,” he said.
Jackson said the officer managed to arrest the man and recover the stolen goods with the help of residents. He was handed over to the Umbilo SAPS at the scene of the crime.
Officers also arrested an armed robber who allegedly held up a business in Earl Haig Road with three other men and a housbreaker who attempted to steal an air-conditioning unit from a property in Esther Roberts (Frere) Road. The suspects were handed over to the Mayville and Umbilo police respectively.
Jackson advised residents to be vigilant when walking and not to carry valuables.
“We urge pedestrians and motorists to always be aware of their surroundings and if there are any individuals approaching that makes them feel uncomfortable they should rather cross the road to get away if possible. Some of the muggers in these cases were young and dressed presentably, so it is best to listen to one’s intuition than to pass judgement based on outward appearances,” he said.
