Residents from Bordeaux South swiftly circulated information about a suspect who was allegedly seen stealing a bicycle from a property in the area on their WhatsApp group.
Within a few hours, the suspect was arrested with the assistance of a private security company.
The situation unfolded from 10.34 am when a resident and member of the Bordeaux South Resident’s Association (BSRA) reported the incident on the WhatsApp group concerning a bicycle that was reported stolen from a neighbour’s house.
“Ron Domingo circulated identifying factors on the WhatsApp group (such as clothing) after which CSS Tactical was called and arrived within minutes,” said BSRA chairperson Elinor Bodinger.
She said that the suspect was spotted pumping the bicycle wheels at a garage on Jan Smuts Avenue. A petrol attendant spotted him there and reported this to Domingo who went to investigate.
A few seconds later, another resident posted a message on the Street Captains group that an individual fitting the description was spotted on Garden Road on a bicycle.
CSS apprehended the suspect who claimed that the bicycle belonged to him. He was escorted to the owners of the bicycle.
“She identified the bicycle as hers and police were called to arrest the man who said he lived at the Braamfontein Spruit,” said Bodinger.
She further explained that residents changed their model of communication about a year ago and found that it works.
“Information moves fast on WhatsApp and this is how the thief was tracked from one group to another and then apprehended. We are lucky to have such an engaging community in Bordeaux South that communicate and engage with each other,” she concluded.
Randburg police spokesperson Constable Stanley Bopape confirmed the incident. “The suspect will appear in the Randburg Magistrates Court soon,” he said.
Details: Bordeaux South Resident’s Association, ElinorB@jse.co.za.
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