ATM thieves nabbed with stolen money

Three ATM thieves found themselves behind bars on Friday morning, 1 February thanks to an alert Community Crime Prevention Organisation (CCPO) committee member. George Snodey was in the area at about 6.30am when he went past Victory Spar in Warner Beach and noticed a suspicious-looking man loitering around the ATM.

“I decided to hold him under observation and parked where I could watch him properly. Within five minutes, I saw him interfere with someone at the ATM, walk across the road and join two other suspects who were sitting in a silver Mercedes.”

Snodey said the men then drove to the DSM Mall, where the same man got out the vehicle and fiddled at the ATM, before drawing out some money. He then got back into the car and they headed for the N2 highway.

“They drove north, while I followed from a distance. Unfortunately with it being shift change for most SAPS and Metro Police officers, I was unable to get anyone to assist to pull the vehicle off. Fortunately, I asked for back-up on the CCPO radio and ET Rapid Response’s Louis van Ryneveld waited for us just before Gallaria.” The suspects took Arbor Road and, fearing they would leave the area, Snodey and Van Ryneveld decided to jam them in.

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“They claimed to have robbed the person of his SASSA card and only drew R1,700 from the Winklespruit ATM. However, when SAPS arrived they found nearly R4 000 on the suspects who claimed they tore up the SASSA card and threw it away. This was another good arrest for the CCPO with much appreciated help from ET. Together we are making a difference.”