A 16-year-old boy was detained for allegedly robbing another teenager with a screwdriver at P.S Fourie primary school on Thursday.

According to information from the police in Eersterust, Pretoria, a 13-year-old boy was waiting outside the school gate together with his two friends when he was accosted by the two suspects.

The suspects reportedly threatened him with a screwdriver before they viciously attacked him, grabbed his cellphone and ran away.

According to Eersterust police spokesperson Sergeant Sam Shibambo, the school’s caretaker and the community members witnessed the assault and robbery and chased after the suspects.

“One suspect managed to flee while the other one was caught. The stolen cellphone and the screwdriver were found on the suspect that was caught and the police were summoned to the scene.

“The suspect was arrested and released in the care of his parents, pending his first appearance in court,” Shibambo says.

The acting station commander of SAPS Eersterust, Captain Malose Alpheus Boshiana, thanked the community members who apprehended the suspect.

“Thank you for your humanity and love for justice.”

Meanwhile, Eersterust SAPS appealed to the parents and schools to keep children within the school premises until their transport arrived.

“Children are also encouraged to walk in groups and to conceal their valuables such as phones, money and jewellery,” he says.