An opportunistic criminal was nabbed after he stole from the Community Crime Prevention Organisation (CCPO) on Saturday, 28 July.
“I noticed a person coming out of Umfuleni Drive in Doonside, carrying a high pressure cleaner,” said CCPO committee member, George Snodey. “When I questioned him, he told me he had seen two men jump over a palisade fence, where they had just broken into a garage and stole it. He claimed he was going to go and look for someone to hand it over to.
“He said the two suspects were still in the area, so I called on the CCPO radio for back up.” CCPO and Blue Security patrol officer, Mbuyiselo ‘Triple M’ Mdunjane and crewman Mbambo Nhlanhla joined Snodey and they soon located the two men in Middleton Road.
“When they saw us, they fled in different directions, with one escaping but the other one jumped into a complex that we quickly cordoned off with the help of more CCPO, Blue Security, ET Rapid Response, National (ex Chubb) and SAPS K9 unit guys.” After about 30 minutes of hunting for the thief, he was eventually apprehended.
READ ALSO: Men arrested after shootout with police
“The guy that was originally in possession of the machine then took us to Hillside Road where he showed us the premises that had been broken into. The people who were at home were unaware of what had just transpired but quickly identified the machine as theirs.”
The ‘helpful informant’ then took the CCPO to a house in Middleton Road where they had also broken into the garage. This time they had taken an angle grinder, which the other suspect apparently had with him when he escaped. “These people were at work and were also unaware of what had just taken place,” said Snodey.
READ ALSO: CCPO re-arrests serial burglar after his escape from Amanzimtoti police cells
“The guy helping us then got out of my vehicle and went with Triple M to make a witness statement at Toti SAPS, as he had seen them come over the fence. When they left, I went to a viewpoint to see if the other suspect would come out of hiding, only to find that my binoculars which I had seen an hour ago was not in my cubbyhole.
“I went to the police station and asked a policeman to search the witness’ bag, as I suspected that he had stolen them when I got out the van. The binoculars were found in his bag, and his witness statement soon turned into an arrest and detainment,” added Snodey.
DID YOU KNOW?
Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics.
To receive news links via WhatsApp, send an invite to 061 694 6047
The South Coast Sun is also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest – why not join us there?
Do you have more information pertaining to this story?
Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.
(Comments posted on this issue may be used for publication in the Sun)
