One wanted suspect and two of his cronies’ criminal careers came to an abrupt end yesterday, thanks to the Western Suburbs Roodepoort Neighbourhood Watch (WSRNW).
At about 12.50 pm on 26 March, two suspects grabbed an elderly woman’s handbag at Witpoortjie Pick n Pay. They jumped into a blue Yaris and sped away. Pick ‘n Pay management immediately informed WSRNW of the vehicle and its registration number. One of their patrollers and his wife gave chase. On Main Reef Road, they spotted by chance the vehicle and started following it to Florida. In the meanwhile, they informed Roodepoort police.
At the BP Garage on Albertina Sisulu Road in Florida, the suspects made a U-turn and the WSRNW vehicle switched on its flash lights. When the suspects caught wind of this, they started fleeing in the direction of Roodepoort.
Fearing her safety, the patroller dropped his wife off and pursued the suspects vehicle.
The suspects drove right into six police vehicles, waiting for them. A variety of handbags and credit cards were found in the suspects’ vehicle. Two men and a woman were arrested, with one of the men was wanted by the police.
Matthys van Rensburg of WSRNW thanked his patrollers and the other watch staff for their good work and communication during the incident.