Residents help apprehend suspected scrap-metal thief
When the suspect noticed he was being followed, he climbed over a palisade fence and ran into the park.
Observatory resident and deputy chairperson of the Yeoville Community Police Forum (YCPF) sector 3, Mr Joseph Dube, followed a suspected scrap metal thief as he tried to flee, after catching the suspect on his property on Tuesday, August 26.
“I was working on my computer at home when I noticed a man in the yard. I do not think he was aware there was someone in the house. I opened the window and asked him what he was doing,” said Mr Dube.
He said the men climbed over the wall and started running in the street.
“I drove out of the yard, called Constable Mukwevho, the Sector 3 manager to inform him of what was happening and he called for back-up,” said Mr Dube.
When the suspect noticed he was being followed, he climbed over a palisade fence and ran into the park.
“Other residents noticed him fleeing and caught him. By then, the SAPS had arrived at the park and the man was arrested,” said Mr Dube. He said he was impressed by the co-operation and quick response between the clusters after he made the call.
“I am impressed. I hope this kind of response will be constant and afforded to other residents. It sends a message to criminals to not take their chances in the area,” said Mr Dube.
Constable Kenneth Mukwevho, the sector 3 manager, said when the man was questioned, he admitted that he was looking for scrap metal in the property.
“I received a call from Joseph and I immediately called for back up from the Tactical Response Team (TRT) and we headed towards the park. We found the suspect at the park with Joseph and some residents,” said Const Mukwevho.
He said after questioning the man, it came to light that he was a Mozambican national, who was in the country illegally.
“He was arrested and detained at the Hillbrow SAPS. He was charged with being in the country illegally,” said Const Mukwevho. @JoburgJourno
