A united community and its dedicated police force collaborated with the power of social media on Monday to track down an alleged thief.
Scores of residents participated in this manhunt to track down the suspect in front of the Crossing Centre.
It was about 16:00 on Monday when a witness reported suspicious activity to Nelspruit Concerned Citizens (NCC). This community organisation utilises various forms of social media in an effort to assist the police with crime prevention.
It was reported that two people had been seen carrying a pressurised water pump in the area of the Road Lodge and Town Lodge. They were apparently scurrying in the direction of Geelhout Avenue.
According to NCC, its patrollers investigated the situation and when the suspects spotted them, they made a run for it. NCC gave chase. According to NCC, the one suspect disappeared while the other ran in the direction of Crossing with the pump and headed to the wetland nearby.
Police, the K9 Unit and community safety organisations were deployed to the scene.
“We searched the area and ascertained that he must have been hiding in the marsh adjacent to Crossing Centre,” SAPS’ Col Dirk Hall said. Hundreds of commuters stopped to look, fascinated by the scene playing out in front of their eyes. The community members assisted in cordoning off the entire area and, in so doing, became part of the crime-fighting operation themselves.
By 17:40 the team considered calling off the search, as there was no sign of the suspect. They withdrew from the marsh, but remained in the vacinity. At about 18:30, the wanted man arose from the vegetation, and was spotted.
According to Hall, members of the community were involved in making the arrest and prevented him from escaping. The pump was recovered. The second suspect has not been found.
After the arrest NCC announced on Facebook that this was another example of how cooperation between the public, security companies and the SAPS can be successful in combating crime.
Hall confirmed that the suspect had been taken into custody. He was expected to appear in court today. He said the man would provisionally be charged with the possession of stolen property.
At the time of going to print the owner of the water pump had not yet come forward.
Anyone with relevant information is requested to contact Hall on 079-267-5639.
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