K9 Bakwena finds ‘needle in a haystack’
BCI Management attended the scene and requested the assistance of their K9 unit in an attempt to establish what firearm was used. K9 handler Lee-Wade Loots and his trusted explosive registered K9 companion, Bakwena, arrived on scene.
In the early morning hours on Wednesday, May 25 BCI Security received an alarm activation at a dealership on Hendrik Potgieter Road in Little Falls.
Also read: https://www.citizen.co.za/roodepoort-record/2021/12/08/random-security-patrol-leads-to-arrest/
There was an active break-in in progress, with shots being fired at the on-site security officer. BCI’s K9 unit was sent out to help locate the bullet casing left by the suspects in a field at the crime scene.
According to the incident report a thug confronted the on-site security officer and then fled, while another thug turned around and started firing shots at the security officer. The security officer took cover behind a wall and all the other intruders fled the scene.
One response vehicle approached the scene on Hendrik Potgieter towards the Leroy Merlyn side, and another vehicle was already on site securing the premises and the security officer.
The BCI officer in the approaching vehicle noticed a white Toyota Corolla speeding off in the direction of Hillfox Power Centre, turned around and gave chase. Unfortunately, the Toyota was lost under the MTN bridge approaching the N1 highway, and it is believed that the vehicle took the on-ramp and drove in the direction of Soweto.
Also read: https://www.citizen.co.za/roodepoort-record/2020/08/18/bci-boss-hails-injured-officers-bravery/
Management on scene requested the assistance of their K9 unit in an attempt to establish what firearm was used.
PSIRA and SASETTA accredited K9 handler Lee-Wade Loots and his trusted explosives registered K9 companion, Bakwena, arrived on scene, which was cordoned off shortly thereafter in order to ensure that protocol and procedures were followed and the scene was not contaminated prior to the arrival of the K9 specialists.
Approximately eight minutes into the search, Bakwena indicated a certain spot in the long grass. Not long thereafter a 9mm casing was found where it is suspected to have fallen after being ejected from the firearm.
The scene was then handed over to the police who arrived shortly thereafter. Loots and Bakwena have been partners for almost three years.
“One of the most important protocols or procedures we have to abide by to ensure a successful detection, is to cordon off the area we need to search. This preserves the scene so that when Bakwena starts working, he will be able to follow the trail without any confusion created by outside parties,” explained Corinda Loots, BCI business owner.
She added that it was important for any K9 unit to have a bond of trust, given the gravity of the situations they encounter.
“We need to be able to say with absolute certainty when our dogs positively indicate something – be it a bullet casing or an explosive –that the target is there,” added Meggan Beeka, the K9 instructor at the academy.
The Northsider will keep you updated as more information becomes available.
