Gardener bitten as he fights off thief in Hillcrest
In a separate incident, a man was arrested with a laptop, cellphone and a wrist watch stolen at a house in Everton following an hour long manhunt.
A HILLCREST gardener was injured when he tried to stop a man from fleeing with stolen plants in Hillcrest Park on Monday morning.
According to Blue Security community and media liaison officer, Andreas Mathios, the gardener had just arrived at work when he noticed a suspect digging in the rubbish bins outside and that plants from the complex entrance were missing.
“When he checked the plastic bags that the suspect had with him he found the uprooted, missing plants inside the bags.
“An argument and a fight broke out and the suspect bit the gardener on his hands. Our officer responded to the scene and arrested the suspect. The gardener declined medical assistance and was treated on site by a resident,” said Mathios.
The man was handed over to the Hillcrest SAPS.
ALSO READ: SAPS offer tips to survive a carjacking following attack on Taxify driver in Queensburgh
In a separate incident, swift team work by Blue Security armed response officers, which led to the arrest of a housebreaking suspect following a manhunt in the Everton, was commended.
Mathios said the robber had gained entry into a home in Gillitts at around 8.30am on Sunday.
“A resident heard a shuffling sound coming from a back room and when he went to investigate he found that there was man inside his home. When the man saw the resident, he turned and fled through an open window,” said Mathios.
A Blue Security armed response officer who was on his way to respond to the incident spotted the suspect walking up Everton Road.
“Our dedicated vehicle which services the area also responded to the scene and the officers chased the suspect down Surrey Lane. The suspect then jumped into a property and started fence hopping in an attempt to evade arrest but our officer gave chase. The SAPS Shongweni K9 Unit also responded to the scene and with the assistance of the police the man was arrested after an hour long manhunt in the nearby valley,” said Mathios.
Police recovered a laptop, a cellphone and a wrist watch from the man who was taken to Kloof SAPS for processing.
Do you want to receive alerts regarding this and other Highway community news via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5409.
You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Highway Mail WhatsApp number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts.
