The Linden Police have confirmed the arrest of a suspected cell phone snatcher, who has allegedly stolen various goods of unsuspecting patrons in the Linden area over the past few months.
The Randburg Sun reported on the string of incidents earlier this year showing various videos from posts about the crimes that circulated on social media.
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The suspect was arrested at a restaurant in Linden and charged with robbery after a group of off-duty officers saw him commit the crime.
Some members of the Linden Police Station make use of the restaurants in the Linden area when they are off-duty and in plain clothes. This was the case one particular evening when a group of off-duty officers attended the popular Lemon Tree Car Wash & Pub on 7th Avenue.
The suspect entered the restaurant and the officers noticed him behaving suspiciously. They decided to keep an eye on him. Five minutes later, the suspect allegedly snatched a phone off a patron and ran. As he was trying to escape from the restaurant, another patron saw the incident and tripped the suspect. The off-duty police officers surrounded the suspect and arrested him.