In the past three weeks more than five houses in eMalahleni were robbed by the plasma robbers but before they could successfully burgle the same residence, the SACCW (South African Community Crime Watch) “paused” them.
“This was the second time they broke into my house in one week. Last week Tuesday they broke my door open and took my big plasma television and some cash I kept in my house,” said the home owner, Julian Burger.
It all started when Burger’s neighbour saw a silver Chevrolet with four suspects inside, stopping in front of her gate and ringing the bell. They then quickly disappeared again.
“I immediately thought something was not right when I did not see the vehicle driving out of the street and I went to take a closer look,” Natalie Wilsenach told WITBANK NEWS.
As she came closer to her gate, she saw one of the suspects breaking open Burger’s gate with a crowbar and heard how another suspect was breaking open the front door.
“I rushed into the house and grabbed my phone and started reporting this incident on the SACCW Highveld Park Zello channel,” she added.
Operations co-ordinator, Maureen Scheepers from SACCW said, “As the call came through, all our reaction members took to the streets and actually passed the suspects at one point.”
The suspects did not get the chance to leave Highveld Park and were stopped in their vehicle on the corner of OR Tambo Road and Poplar Street.
All of the suspects started to flee but two suspects were apprehended by SACCW members metres away.
Unfortunately the other two suspects got away.
Minutes after the whole incident took place Witbank SAPS and Emalahleni Traffic Department arrived on scene. Middelburg’s K-9 Unit was dispatched to the scene and took the search for the remaining two suspects further.
With investigation from LCRC Forensics it came to light that the vehicle the suspects used to commit these crimes had in fact been hijacked in Pretoria earlier this month. The number plates were false but the originals were found in the boot.
WITBANK NEWS earlier did an article about the same ‘plasma robbers’ going around eMalahleni robbing residents of their belongings on January 18.
“Today was a textbook example of what was discussed in our public neighbourhood watch meeting last week. It is so important for as many members as possible to become involved in their neighbourhood and download the Zello channel. Sightings of the suspects that were called in ultimately led to the responders getting eyes on the vehicle. A short chase ensued leading to the apprehension of two suspects by Highveld Park as well as SACCW responders before they could leave the neighbourhood”, said Gavin Gates, vice chair of Highveld Park.
The search for the two remaining suspects will be ongoing.
“We as police are really impressed with the community’s work. All residents should work together like the neighbourhood of Highveld Park showed us yesterday. It is a honor to work with them,” spokesperson Sgt David Ratau concluded.
