Parolee goes back to old ways, a week after being released

A parolee could not wait to break the law again after he was caught red-handed mugging a pedestrian in Sunnyside, Pretoria just days after his release.

The 25-year-old man from Lady Selbourne, west of Pretoria, was only granted parole last Tuesday following his conviction and sentence of robbery in April this year.

Police spokesperson Captain Daniel Mavimbela said the convicted robber and two of his accomplices had attacked and mugged their target in the early hours of Sunday morning.

“Police allegedly found three men attacking a victim near the corners of Francis Baard and Wessels streets. The other two suspects managed to escape arrest,” he said.

The parolee was found in possession of the victim’s jacket and cash while the victim’s cellphone was taken by the accomplices.

“The suspect appeared before the Pretoria Magistrate Court and was remanded in custody after his case was postponed to 7 August.”

The offender was released from a six month jail term following his conviction in April for a robbery that took place in Sunnyside in August last year.

During that robbery, the suspect was found with stolen cellphone, car keys and bank cards, Mavimbela said.

“The local police are working around the clock to ensure the safety of the community of Sunnyside that includes tourists and revellers; hence this particular parolee was caught shortly after 4am.”