Community app curbs crime in Centurion
Police arrested six suspects after they tried to rob a paint shop in Hennospark on Thursday afternoon. According to the Community Policing Forum, the arrest was aided by the use of a push-to-talk app.
Due to the use of the free push-to-talk application, community members and Monitor Net were able to arrest six suspects after they tried to rob a paint shop in Hennopspark on Thursday afternoon, the Wierdabrug Community Policing Forum (CPF) said.
According to spokesperson Hannes Du Buisson, the six suspects were chased by Monitor Net and police from Hennopspark to the R55 highway. “There was a suspicion that these men wanted to rob a paint shop and Monitor Net noticed them and used the app to notify CPF members. Police were then notified and managed to catch the suspects on the corner of Wierda Road and the R55,” said Du Buisson.
The suspects are facing charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm after one firearm was found in their possession. “There was a good reaction from the police, which we are happy about. A helicopter was also involved in the chase as well as members of the tactical response team,” said Du Buisson.
A Toyota Tazz was also recovered on Thursday due to response from CPF members after the stolen car was reported on Zello. “We responded to a frantic call this morning of a car that was stolen from Wierda Park. We managed to broadcast the incident on the app and a community member managed to track and follow the car,” Du Buisson said.
The suspects, however, jumped out of the stolen car and into another before fleeing the scene. “Our CPF members followed them all the way to Laudium, but they managed to escape, as they were driving at a recklessly high speed. However, we managed to retrieve the stolen car. This is an example of how the community can come together to combat crime in the area.” said Du Buisson.
