‘Kidnapped’ teenager found
POLICE launched a search for a 19-year-old at the weekend who was thought to have been kidnapped, after her mother received photos of her bound on Sunday, 15 September.
A man then phoned the anxious parents from the daughter’s phone claiming he had found it on Anstey’s Beach, covered in blood. They quickly reported the kidnapping to Brighton Beach SAP and a task team was put together.
“A concern for us was that the caller had stated that he had found the phone covered with blood, which could have indicated severe injury or even death of the victim,” said Brighton Beach SAP communications officer, Captain Louise Le Roux.
Together with reservist, Constable Jacque Stephen of Montclair SAP, the Brighton Beach detective team traced the location of the phone. When they called the number it was answered by the alleged kidnapped victim. Unaware she was talking to police; she made plans to meet with the caller.
At the meeting it was determined that the kidnapping claim was false and she was arrested. Her accomplice, a 19-year-old man was tracked down and also arrested. They appeared in Durban G-Court on Wednesday, 18 September, charged with defeating the ends of justice and were remanded into police custody at a request for legal aid from the state.
“It is our responsibility to investigate every complaint and it is regrettable that people make false reports like this, without considering the waste of police resources, which could have been spent on addressing real crimes,” said Capt Le Roux.
Brighton Beach SAP management thanks all the role players for involved in this incident for their quick response.
– erinh@dbn.caxton.co.za
