Cellphone thief who attempted to extort R5000 arrested
Police say the last GPS co-ordinates before the cellphone was switched off by the suspect, who demanded R5000 when the victim called her cellphone, were used to find the location at South Beach, Point area.
AN 18-year-old man was arrested by the Westville SAPS crime prevention team after being found in possession of a cellphone which had been reported as stolen.
Westville SAPS spokesperson, Captain Elizabeth Squires, said the suspect was arrested on Saturday, July 12, in the South Beach, Point area, after he was searched and found in possession of the cellphone, a S24 Samsung, and the personal belongings of a complainant who had reported these as stolen from the Pavilion Shopping Centre.
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“A woman was robbed of her cellphone which contained her driver’s licence, identity card and bank card at the back of the cellphone pouch. Members then set out to the last GPS co-ordinates that were last updated at 16:00 when the phone had been switched off after the suspect demanded R5000 when the victim called her cellphone.
“Members tactically kept observation on the set location in the South Beach, Point area for two hours which resulted in swiftly apprehending one male who tried to run,” said Squires, who added that another cellphone, “which was not accounted for”, was found in the suspect’s possession.
Squires said the suspect was charged with robbery and detained at the Westville SAPS “for further investigation”.
The victim, who asked not to be named, said she was overwhelmed with the service she received from the Westville SAPS members.
“It was through their commitment, tireless effort that led to the recovery of all my goods,” she said.
She added that her faith in the police has been restored thanks to their “professionalism” and “humanity”.
“This served as a reminder of the honour and integrity the SAPS stand for and I will forever be grateful to the members for their outstanding service,” she said and went on to applaud the shopping centre’s management and security staff for the way they handled the situation and assisted with providing the description of the suspect.
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