LAST Monday, Mrs M Prinsloo learned that her water pump was the fourth to be stolen from Landdrost Street that day.
A photograph taken by an alert resident, of a man walking along Landdrost Street carrying a water pump, led to the water pump being recovered by police and an arrest being made the very next day.
However, Captain Cheryl Venter of SAPS Vryheid warns that hardly a day goes by without a water pump being stolen in Vryheid and urges residents to mark their pumps, however discreetly, to ensure that it is easy to identify in the event that it is stolen.
Mrs Prinsloo said she had gone to fetch her child from school that afternoon and was informed by her neighbour that her water pump had been stolen, shortly after she returned.
“This makes me terrified. It means that they were actually watching me because they knew when I wasn’t at home. My neighbour had contacted LinkUp and they were already on their way when she told me what had happened. I ran down the street to see if I could still catch a glimpse of the robbers but they were nowhere to be seen. I was reluctant to report the theft at the police station because I didn’t think there was any hope of them recovering the pump, but a member of the Buurtwag convinced me to report the theft in case the police did recover the pump,” said Mrs Prinsloo.
“I am glad I did, because the police contacted me the next day and asked if I could come in and identify the water pump. My description of the water pump matched the one they found exactly. This is such a big relief. I prayed and I got it back, which shows that there is strength in prayer.”
Mrs Prinsloo said that this was the second time she was a victim of theft in the last month, with her braai stand having been stolen from her garden a few weeks ago.
Captain Venter explained that police officers recognised the man in the photo that was sent to them, and, after making some enquiries, they were able to arrest the man, who was still in possession of the stolen pump, in eMondlo.
“The SAPS would like to warn the community to be vigilant of crimes taking place in and around their areas. If it was not for the community member who took this photo, the culprit of this crime would not have been caught. Anyone who has information about a crime that was committed, or a crime that is going to take place, is urged to contact the police station with the information. The community also needs to put in security measures to guard against the theft of water pumps,” concluded Captain Venter.
Report crime using the following numbers:
Community Service Center (Charge Office): 034 989 5506 / 7
Station Commander 034 989 5515
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