One Small Act of Kindness aids in robbery arrest
Kelly-Ann Van der Meer recounts One Small Act of Kindness’s role in the robbery apprehension.
In a display of bravery and community spirit, local charity organisation One Small Act of Kindness played a pivotal role in apprehending individuals involved in a robbery on January 12.
Security company Fidelity ADT approached the organisation with a request for assistance in apprehending the individuals.
Founder of One Small Act of Kindness Kelly-Ann van der Meer recalled the organisation’s role in the intervention saying, “ADT asked us if we saw anyone wearing specific items of clothing and told us that they were involved in a robbery.”
She explained that the organisation takes pictures of the people at the feeding scheme for their donors and accountability. “So, we went to look through our pictures and we saw two guys with the described clothing on – they had come to get food one day. They were not our regulars.”
With a sense of duty and determination, Van der Meer and her team sprang into action, collaborating closely with ADT to ensure the safety of the community. “ADT told us that when they come back, the team must be alert; we must talk to them and call security.
“Then one day, the One Small Act of Kindness team came to me after they had spotted one of the guys, and I went outside and stopped him.”
However, the encounter took a turn when the suspect attempted to flee. “He asked if he could go get his stuff around the corner and then come back. That’s when I knew he was going to run. He ran, and our team ran after him, caught him, brought him back to the building, and asked him to wait there, then we called ADT.”
The suspect confessed to the robbery and revealed that he and the other suspect were from Alexandra and often came to Randburg to steal. Later the second suspect arrived to collect food and was caught as well.
“He [the second suspect] offered to take the One Small Act of Kindness team to Alexandra where the stolen goods were being kept.”
Despite the temptation to pursue justice independently, she prioritised the safety of her team and sought assistance from the authorities.
The group head of marketing and communications for Fidelity ADT, Charnel Hattingh, said that ADT responded immediately and that the suspects were apprehended on Ryder Road and handed over to the police. She commended the swift and effective action of their reaction officers stating, “This once again highlights the importance of communities, security companies, and SAPS working together.”
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