Skipping a red traffic light spelled disaster for a cunning robber.
On March 31, said a confidential source, patrolling traffic official, Tyronne Davis noticed a car had not stopped at the red robot, and he proceeded to pull the vehicle over.
He noticed the licence plate was missing, and became suspicious.
However, before Traffic Officer Davis could determine if the vehicle was indeed stolen, two of the occupants fled the scene.
He then called for backup from fellow officers.
In the meantime, SAPS officials including Warrant-Officer Sasha Naidoo from the K9 Unit, were on the hunt for a vehicle, linked to a theft on Allen Street the same day.
The driver was suspected to have perpetrated theft of close to R40 000.
Lizzy Arumugam of SAPS Corporate Communications, explained, “A victim alleged he parked his vehicle in a bay on Allen Street, and went into a store, leaving his wife in the car.”
According to reports, the wife was approached by a male suspect, who signalled to her there was a problem with the tyre.
She exited the vehicle, but could see no fault.
“When she got back to the car, she found a bag containing cash of about R38 500 was stolen.”
The search for the vehicle, believed to have been used by the fleeing suspect, led WO Naidoo to where the suspected stolen vehicle was pulled off.
He then took a 41-year-old occupant into custody.
“The vehicle was searched and a wallet was recovered, but there was no cash inside. Further investigations continue,” she concluded.
Sources described the work of the traffic officials and SAPS as a great breakthrough in regard to a recent spate of similar robberies.
