A PRIVATE security officer has been praised for his quick response which led to the arrest of a suspected thief.
On Monday, 29 January, Fidelity ADT security officer, Zethembe Ntobela, was on patrol in Vause Road when he heard a scream and noticed a suspect fleeing from a home. The suspect, who was initially running towards him, quickly turned around and began running in the opposite direction as soon as he spotted the officer.
Officer Ntobela immediately pressed his panic button to notify armed response and gave chase.
“All our Fidelity security guards have access to our armed response vehicles in case of emergencies. By activating their panic button, armed response backup is immediately deployed,” explains Fidelity ADT’s district manager for KwaZulu-Natal, Ivan Govender.
Officer Ntobela followed the suspect into a dead-end road and cornered him. The suspect drew a knife and lashed out aggressively at the officer. After a few swipes the suspect lost grip of the knife and dropped it, giving Officer Ntobela the opportunity he needed to apprehend the suspect.
“Our officers face serious dangers in the line of duty and this incident is testimony to the high risk they encounter on a daily basis. We would like to congratulate him on his bravery and commend him for the commitment shown towards protecting our clients,” Govender added.
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Further investigation revealed that the suspect had stolen a tablet from the resident who confirmed that it was hers. The suspect was handed over for arrest to members of the Berea SAPS.
Govender urged residents to remain vigilant at all times. “Should you come across a suspect on your property, remain calm and immediately contact your security service provider or the South African Police Service. Never confront them or attempt to capture the suspects because they may be armed and dangerous.”
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