Suspected thief is finally nabbed after crashing car
Since he had been identified on the store's surveillance footage, he has been on the run
TONGA – A 32-year-old house-robbery suspect ended up in hospital after crashing a vehicle which he had allegedly stolen four months ago.
The accused was wanted in connection with a number of house-robbery cases in the area.
According to police, on July 25 the accused was involved in an incident in Langeloop and fled the scene in a Polo Vivo. He was also involved in other robberies earlier in Phiva, where he had stolen bank cards and used them at a local hardware store. Since he had been identified on the store’s surveillance footage, he has been on the run.
On October 10 while driving the stolen Polo Vivo, he was involved in an accident and taken to hospital. Cellphones, bank cards, wedding rings and a 3G dongle were found in the suspect’s possession on the accident scene.
He was arrested and is currently under police guard at a hospital in Mbombela. The owner of the vehicle has been called to identify it and community members will be asked to identify their cellphones and other belongings.
The accused has appeared in absentia in the Nkomazi Magistrate’s Court, on charges of house robbery. The case has been postponed for further investigation.
Tonga Police Station commander,
Brig Velisiwe Mdaka, has applauded the Matsulu SAPS for arresting this suspect who had been terrorising the community of Nkomazi.
