PMB mounted unit rides to the rescue
A fourth perpetrator has been arrested in connection to the Botha's Hill house robberies.
IN light of the high crime rate currently experienced in Botha’s Hill, the SA Community Crime Watch’s Steven King, has requested the presence of the mounted police in the Upper Highway area.
According to King, who is also part of Secure Link, the mounted police will show visibility and help reduce the current crime wave experienced in the area.
The Mounted Unit will be patrolling the Upper Highway area, especially on the railway line and inaccessible areas for vehicles. This follows the recent increase in a spate of property crime in the Botha’s Hill area. The unit will be stationed in Inchanga, under the supervision of Lt Col Corlea Herholdt.
Herholdt said they are a small unit of 21 members who serve the KZN area, however four members will be stationed to the Upper Highway area. They will be patrolling during times when crime is rife.
“This is a warning to robbers, we are here to make a difference and to curb crime. Anyone with information that they want to share with us, can contact me on 079 500 0219 or stop us on the side of the road when you see us patrolling,” said Herholdt.
The SA Community Crime Watch and Secure Link invited the PMB Mounted Unit to assist them with bringing a sense of calm to the area with their visible policing.
“Col Herholdt and her team is really a sight for sore eyes and makes one feel a lot safer knowing that they are around,” said King.
He assured the community that they will be making a point to get the mounted unit up here in the highway area as often as possible.
“We also want to thank Capt Neil Thaver from the Shongweni K9 Unit for assisting the mounted unit and for the warm welcome extended from his unit. Also, thank you to Grant Ketteringham and Terri from the Noo Noo Farm for assisting me in providing accommodation for the unit’s members and their horses,” said King.
With only a few days on patrol the mounted unit has already has some success cases. Two men gained entry into a home in Old Main Road in Botha’s Hill on Wednesday 18 June, by smashing out a window frame. The robbers stole a flat screen TV.
Secure Link, SA Community Crime Watch and the Shongweni K9 Unit responded and a blood spoor that was left by one of the perpetrators after he cut himself on broken glass, led the K9 Unit to Embo, however the robbers escaped.
Const Musa Khwela from the Shongweni K9 Unit along with Heinrich Schwarz from Eventus Investigating Services and members from the PMB Mounted Unit went into Embo on Thursday night (19 June) after receiving a tip off.
Const Khwela and Schwarz tracked the one robber and arrested him after a chase on foot. The robber then led them to a house where the TV was recovered. The robber also confessed to three other burglaries in the area and is expected to appear in court soon.
“Now, a total of four suspects have been arrested for burglaries in the Botha’s Hill area and this sends a clear message to criminals that they will be caught,” said King.
