Three arrested after hectic chase by SAPS and security

Police has confirmed that the three men who were caught after breaking into a home in Wilro Park in Elkie Drive followed by an epic chase on Tuesday 29 October will face charges of housebreaking and theft.

Roodepoort South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Vincent Mashiteng says, “The goods recovered by police on the scene ranged from a plasma TV set and Sony Playstations to a painting that is estimated to be worth R130 000”.

Mashiteng also commented on the events that occurred on the day.

“DMS Security responded to an alarm at a house in Elkie Drive. At their arrival a security officer spotted a suspicious-looking vehicle and he was told that the owners asked them to ‘deliver some items’.

“The situation was in actual fact a break-in and when security realised what was going on the men already had loaded some valuables on the back of the bakkie. A chase ensued.

“He called for backup and soon other security and police joined forces. The chase continued through Roodekrans, on CR Swart Drive and Ontdekkers Road until the suspects were cornered at the Village @ Horizon. The suspects managed to travel a bit further until they eventually crashed into a tree after hitting a pavement opposite a garage on Kingfisher Street where they were apprehended.”

Mashiteng added, “There is a possibility that other cases could be linked to the suspects who were caught. They, however, have been charged with housebreaking and theft and will appear in the Roodepoort Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 31 October.”

Criminals arrested as police and security services join forces

A joint effort between the South African Police Service (SAPS) and at least four dedicated security services led to the successful arrest of three criminals in Horison Park on Tuesday afternoon 29 October.

This after criminals were spotted robbing a house in Elkie Drive in Wilro Park. DMS Security – first to call for backup – as well as police and other security services soon joined forces, which eventually led to the arrests at an Excel service station on Kingfisher Street.

Lewellyn Botha, the DMS Security officer who initiated the mass chase says, “I was patrolling the area when I noticed a suspicious-looking vehicle on the side of the road. I approached the driver of the truck (a Hyundai H100) and asked if everything was alright. He replied: ‘I’m just waiting for my workers’.”

Little did the security officer know that there was a robbery in progress but, sensing that the situation was suspicious, he parked his vehicle at the house next to the one being robbed. He then spotted four men running out of the house carrying a television set and a portrait.

“The men jumped on the back of the bakkie and sped off. I gave chase and called for backup.”

Botha explains that while the truck was moving, one suspect managed to jump off and started running, knowing that he was being followed.

In the meantime SAPS units, Roodekrans and Horison Neighbourhood Watch members as well as APCAN security joined the chase.

Eventually they came to a stop at an Excel service station on Kingfisher Street and three men were apprehended on the spot. One of the suspects sustained a broken leg while trying to jump off the bakkie before it came to a standstill against a tree.