Thokozane Mbuma, 26, has been sentenced to five years’ imprisonment for stealing a cellphone earlier this year.
Captain Appel Ernst, Randfontein Police spokesperson, confirmed the incident which took place on 14 February.
“It was alleged by the complainant that she was seated in her stationary vehicle on Main Reef Road when two men approached her. They came up on both sides of the vehicle, and one of them tried to open the driver’s door, allegedly to show her something under her vehicle. While she was engaged in a conversation with the first man, the second man opened the passenger door and grabbed her cellphone and ran off,” Ernst said.
A vigilant security guard at Super Spar Randfontein gave chase and managed to arrest the suspect who took the cellphone.
The suspect was charged and found guilty of theft out of a vehicle. He was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment and also declared unfit to possess a firearm,” she added.
Randfontein Police management congratulated a Mr Janse van Vuuren, the security guard, on the initial arrest of the suspect.
Constable Nathanial Khanye, the investigating officer, was commended for the investigation into the matter and the National Prosecuting Authority was also commended for the stance they took regarding the sentencing of the accused.
“The area around the Super Spar Randfontein was a hotspot, particularly regarding theft out of vehicles, but since the arrest of this suspect, incidents of this nature in this specific area have decreased. We applaud all involved in the success,” said Brigadier Mashole Jacob Manamela, the Randfontein Police station commander.
