Eagle-eyed security guard makes a surprising find
No arrests have been made and police are urging members of the public with information to come forward with.
MBOMBELA – A sharp-eyed Divergent Ops officer’s instincts led to the recovery of an undisclosed sum of money and photographic equipment on Wednesday morning.
Officer Walter Mathebula was travelling on the R40 from Riverside towards Mbombela, when he spotted a suspicious man carrying a backpack at the Crossing Centre.
“Just as I reached the traffic lights at about 04:45, I spotted the man who carried what I presumed to be a laptop. He started running towards the Pick n Pay at the centre when he noticed me making a U-turn,” Mathebula said.
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The quick-thinking security officer, sensing that something was amiss, immediately gave chase, as the suspect fled towards the receiving area.
“I noticed that he had discarded the bag and ended the chase to inspect its contents.”
According to Mathebula, a cursory search of the bag revealed a large sum of money secreted inside, as well as a camera and a set of binoculars.
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“I reported the find to the Pick n Pay security staff, who contacted the Nelspruit police. He ran in the direction of the
Mbombela CBD and I was unable to apprehend him.”
The discovery was taken to the Nelspruit Police Station and counted under the watchful eye of Sgt Michael Horn before being placed into sealed evidence bags.
“My first suspicion is that the money was taken during a burglary and we request that the victims of any burglary contact the police station to identify the goods, which may be returned after a positive identification,” Horn said.
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No arrest was made at the time of going to press, as the fleeing suspect managed to evade his pursuer.
The provincial police spokesman, Brig Leonard Hlathi confirmed the incident and added, “The security guard called for backup and they searched for the man until they spotted him near Bester Street. The man saw them and he ran away.”
Hlathi called on anyone who may have any information to contact Capt Reggy Cornelius on 082-303-9795.
