Car guard helps bring robbers to justice

THE assistance of an attentive car guard led to the arrest of two suspected robbers and the recovery of an air-rifle used for competitive shooting.

The rifle, carry case and accessories were stolen from beneath the back cover of a bakkie parked on Church Street two weeks ago.

Members of Vryheid SAPS Crime Intelligence Unit and the K9 Unit scoured through video footage, provided by a restaurant in the area, to try and determine who committed the crime, and asked the car guard for assistance in identifying the culprits.

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Once the men were positively identified, Captain André van Ellinckhuyzen, Warrant Officer (W/O) Cullis Mortlock, W/O Chris van Eck and Sergeant Masondo questioned the suspected the robbers, who took them directly to the rifle.

“When we approached the men, they knew exactly why we were looking for them and took us to a business where they had sold the rifle for R600. The rifle, case and accessories were all recovered intact. I hope that these arrests will discourage theft out of motor vehicles, which is very problematic in the CBD,” said Captain Van Ellinckhuyen.

The resident from whom the air rifle was stolen asked not to be named but thanked the officers who recovered the firearm and commended them for a job well done.

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