Two arrested after housebreaking

On 11 August, 24/7 Security apprehended two suspects following a two-hour chase and more than eight officers working in a coordinated search in Sandhurst Ext 4.

The incident started at about 1.15pm when Sector 3 Commander Constable Lungi Mbatha sent a WhatsApp message to the Parkmore security company regarding a housebreaking on Shandon Way. The security company and the Parkmore Community Association immediately went to the reported location of the crime and found that a driveway gate had been derailed, two domestic workers had been locked up and goods had been stolen.

The property had no alarm and its gates were not secured. The burglars were interrupted when the homeowner came back at lunchtime. She called 10111 and the police also responded to the emergency.

“The men fled on foot and were seemingly lost because they approached the 24/7 Security guard at the Sandhurst Ext 4 boom for directions to Randburg,” said Geoff Schapiro, operations director for the security company.

“He thought they looked suspicious and alerted a 24/7 vehicle. The men dropped the stolen goods and fled, running through Sandhurst Ext 4 where they scaled high walls, jumping over into Panners Lane.”

A search followed involving eight of the security company’s officers and four of their vehicles before the two suspects were apprehended by the security company officers and handed over to the police who were still on the scene. The stolen goods were returned to the owners by the security company.

Toni Lutz, of the Sandhurst Ext 4 Residents Association pointed out that people were quick to point out failings but rarely noticed a job well done. “I feel that it is very important that the 24/7 security guards involved are commended in some way,” he said.

“They were literally sweating big time to catch these guys. I was somewhat involved and called for extra back up in Sandhurst Ext 4 on WhatsApp ‘ParkmoreProtect’ and the backup arrived virtually instantly.”

Kate Wardle, deputy chairperson of the Parkmore Community Association said, “This incident proves that community forums such as the Community Policing Forum harnessing WhatsApp, work. Due to rapid communication and our network throughout Sandhurst Ext 4 and Parkmore, we realised within minutes that these two incidents were linked, meaning we could deploy additional vehicles.”

She added that the security officers did not give up until eventually one man was caught on Grosfam Avenue and the other was found in the toilets at the Field and Study.

Wardle said she was immensely grateful to the security company for sending additional cars, men and management to solve the problem.