Four suspects were caught earlier this week. What makes this arrest so interesting is that a police radio was amongst the things found in their possession. The police radio had channels from Witbank -, Vosman – and Middelburg SAPS.
Mr Michael Khumalo, a reaction officer from CSC Tactical was the one whose sixth sense led to the arrest of the three suspects on Monday, January 4 at 02:00.
“I came from the mine after making usual rounds when I saw a vehicle parked in Rhodes Street. My senses told me this vehicle in the early hours of the morning just does not add up,” Khumalo said.
He saw some movement and made a u-turn to take a closer look when a Nigerian man stopped him and asked for help. The Nigerian said someone was busy breaking into his house. Khumalo immediately called for back-up and told the Nigerian to call the police.
Messrs Michael Khumalo and Albert Ndwandwe from CSC Tactical played an integral part in the arrests of housebreakers earlier this week.
As his back-up Messrs Albert Ndwandwe and Absalom Mthethwa also reaction officers from CSC Tactical arrived, the police also stopped at the scene.
A search was done and led the reaction officers and the police to the back of the Nigerian’s house as it was clear that the suspects jumped over the wall and fled.
“We headed for long grass behind the victim’s house and I discovered a suspect lying in the grass. We also found an unlicensed firearm with him. The police arrested him on the spot,” Ndwandwe said.
On his way back through the long grass, Ndwandwe saw the third suspect and apprehended him.
Not long afterwards the police caught the fourth suspect.
Persistence paid off when Ndwandwe, Khumalo and Mthethwa insisted on looking for a bag the suspects told them about.
They spotted the bag and much to their surprise found two grinders, a torch and a bolt cutter the suspects allegedly used to break into houses.
They also found a pair of hand radios the suspects allegedly used to communicate with one another.
“We are very happy with this arrest,” said Sgt David Ratau, police spokesperson.
