Valentine’s evening did not turn out as planned for a suspected cellphone robber when he ended up behind bars after allegedly robbing a student.
Police spokesperson Captain Colette Weilbach said in recent weeks cellphone robberies had become problematic in the Hatfield area.
On Valentine’s evening around 20:00 an 18-year-old student from the University of Pretoria was waiting for a friend at a fast food outlet in Hatfield as they were planning to go to Valentine’s party.
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“She was busy using her cellphone when an unknown man came from behind and grabbed the phone from her hands.
“She ran after him and managed to get hold of his shirt. The cellphone fell to the ground during the struggle.”
Weilbach said a JC security officer who was on duty patrolling Burnett Street, heard the student scream.
“He rushed to assist her and succeeded in restraining the suspect.”
While the student was trying to pick up her phone, somebody pushed her away, grabbed the phone and fled in a white sedan parked nearby, Weilbach said.
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“Security officers from Peace Force Security also came to her assistance. The suspect was taken to Brooklyn SAPS where he was arrested.”
She said the suspect would appear in the Hatfield Community Court for common robbery. Investigations continue to link the suspect with other similar crimes.
“SAPS Brooklyn applaud the bravery of the student and the security officer who assisted in the arrest.”
Brooklyn SAPS station commander Brigadier Kushie Nair commended the officers for the arrest.
She said street robberies where students were targeted for their cellphones remained a concern for the station, but expressed hope that the arrest would lead to a breakthrough in the investigation and prevention of these cases.
She advised students to be vigilant and aware of their surroundings and not to use cellphones in public places.
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