Value is subjective but springing into action when the community needs it most is a commodity worth all the world’s treasures.
The glimmer of hope turned to an incandescent flame of joy as the red Datsun stolen from Witpoortjie was recovered on 20 April. Within hours of flooding security groups with BOLO alerts and pleas for help, the interconnected web of private security support came to the rescue. The vehicle was stolen just before 9am and by 11.30am, police had retrieved the little red machine in a street in Kagiso.
Read initial article here: CCTV FOOTAGE: Easy to spot red Datsun stolen in Witpoortjie
Reaction officers and volunteers rushed to the complainant’s assistance, with Petrus Wehmeyer of MSR Security making a personal visit to the scene to collect further information. Marcel Jonker, head of the high-risk tracking and K9 unit at Dowry Security, provided regular updates as did members of Roodepoort ICE, Roodepoort CPF and Kruin Community Volunteer Association (KCVA).
Around 11am a member of the Azaadville Neighbourhood Watch got eyes on the vehicle and directed Kagiso Police to Bhungane Street where the Datsun sat abandoned. Witnesses say the suspects were joyriding in the area before leaving the car in its temporary resting spot but not before taking the battery, removing the engine bay identification plates and cleaning out the glove compartment.
Once the location of the stolen vehicle had been pinpointed, KCVA patroller Ferdie O’Brien collected the complainant and together they went to inspect the vehicle. It was then transported by the police to Lenasia VIS where it will undergo forensic processing.
A heartfelt thanks is sent to everyone who assisted, as without their dedication and attentive concern, the recovery of this very sentimental automobile would not have been possible.
