Mailbox marauders busted in Effingham Heights
Community vigilance played a major role in arresting four men who allegedly have been stealing red post boxes in Durban.
SECURITY officials apprehended four suspects in Effingham Heights who appear to be targeting the South African Post Office’s red post boxes.
According to private security company Swift Private Security, the suspects were intercepted on Belmont Road on March 8 after a vigilant resident reported suspicious activity.
Swift Private Security spokesperson Sanveer Sooklall said the call was received at about 16:30.
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“A resident alerted our control room to a white bakkie with four male occupants attempting to remove a red post box situated on municipal property. The suspects were reportedly using tools in an attempt to break the post box from its base,” said Sooklall.
Response officers were immediately dispatched to the scene and arrived within minutes. Multiple officers strategically blocked the suspect vehicle, preventing the men from fleeing.
“All four suspects were detained on scene by Swift Private Security officers,” said Sooklall.
During questioning, the suspects initially claimed they had been contracted to remove municipal post boxes from the area but were unable to provide any documentation or proof of authorisation.
Security officers also discovered three additional municipal post boxes in the vehicle, believed to have been stolen from Sparks Road in Overport.
“The suspects later attempted to plead for their release, stating they were scrap collectors operating in the area, but our officers proceeded with the lawful process,” said Sooklall.
SAPS was called to the scene and took the four suspects into custody. They were transported to a police station for further investigation.
Swift Private Security commended the resident who reported the incident and urged community members to continue reporting suspicious activity.
“Community vigilance plays a critical role in protecting public infrastructure and assets,” he said.
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