THE quick action by two Blue Security armed response officers helped rescue a student from her alleged mugger and recovered her cellphone yesterday.
According to Blue Security operations manager, Brian Jackson, the officers were stationed in Avondale Road when a young woman, who identified herself as a Durban University of Technology student, ran up to them asking for help at around 4.30pm.
“The student had been on her way home from campus when a rock-wielding mugger robbed her of her cellphone in John Zikhali (Sydenham) Road near ML Sultan Campus,” Jackson explained. “He demanded that she hand over her cellphone and earphones and when she refused, he picked up a rock and threatened to assault her. She handed over her phone and fled the scene.”
Jackson said the woman gave the officers a description of the mugger and one officer went in search for him on foot, while the second officer followed closely behind in the vehicle.
“They caught up with the suspect near St Aidan’s hospital. He tried to evade arrest but was stopped in his tracks when the officer in the vehicle cornered him. Our officers arrested the suspect who was taken to the Berea SAPS police station and handed over to them with the cellphone,” Jackson said.
Jackson advised residents to avoid walking in public with cellphones and valuables visible. “Criminals are always looking for easy prey, especially at this time of the year. It’s important to also remind children and teenagers of the dangers of walking along the road while listening to music, which makes it more difficult to hear if someone is approaching from behind,” he said.
