On Wednesday morning, the Geduld CPF’s Derek Brits alongside WO Blackie Swart and Const Riaan Nienaber handed 11-year-old Rickardo Holtzhausen from Laerskool PAM Brink an award for his bravery in chasing down a suspect who had allegedly stolen a woman’s phone.
Holtzhausen was walking on Fourth Street with his mother to the Springs Rugby Club when they heard a woman screaming.
Realising what had just happened, Rickardo’s mother, Ansie, instructed him to chase after the suspect.
Without hesitating, Rickardo took off after the suspect and tackled him on Third Street.
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“When I caught up to them, I subdued the suspect by tying his hands together with cable ties.
“Even as I was putting the cable ties on him, the suspect was talking about how much it hurt when my son tackled him,” says Ansie.
Ansie says her son has had practice in tackling people as he plays rugby for the school’s first team and plays club rugby for the Springs Rugby Club.
He is also the fastest wing in the school.
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After the Geduld CPF and police arrived on the scene, the suspect was arrested.
On receiving the award on Wednesday morning, Rickardo was humbled by what had happened and said he felt normal about receiving the award.
Rickardo’s principal Anton Jansen van Rensburg was bursting with pride at his learner’s brave actions and said it was not something you see everyday.
“We are glad that nobody got hurt and that it all turned out for the best.
“His bravery must be commended.
“Every child is special and should be careful when they see crime happening.
“We thank the police and the CPF for their help,” says Jansen.
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