Good collaboration between AfriForum’s East Moot neighbourhood watch and a security company has led to the arrest of two cable thieves on Friday morning.
“We were on patrol when we received a message of suspected cable thieves in Môregloed,” said operational coordinator of the neighbourhood watch, Gideon van Deventer.
He said the neighbourhood watch joined Kilnerpark Security (KPS), who were already searching for the men.
ALSO READ: Suspected hijacker arrested in west high-speed chase
“We immediately started searching through properties in the area,” he said.
“One of the residents said that he saw one of the suspects on a roof. Neighbourhood watch members and KPS pursued the suspect.”
Van Deventer said the man jumped from roof to roof, but misjudged the distance and fell to the ground.
ALSO READ: Suspect arrested, ammo and hijacked vehicle recovered in the Moot
“When he fell, one of KPS’s officers as well as two of our neighbourhood watch members caught him and the suspect was arrested by KPS,” he said.
Van Deventer said a second thief was seen at the Doxa Deo church.
“He jumped over the fence, climbed onto the house next door’s roof and jumped from there to the next house,” he said.
ALSO READ: LISTEN: Tshwane metro police arrest three in the west
“One of our neighbourhood watch members followed him and also climbed onto the roof, where the suspect was trapped.”
He said the Villieria police assisted in getting the suspect from the roof and then arrested him.
Chairperson of the neighbourhood watch, Andries Opperman, said the arrests were an example of how a community could work together with the police.
ALSO READ: Pta police operations yield 120 arrests
“Together we can create hope,” he said.
Van Deventer thanked the neighbourhood watch members.
“I would like to express my sincere thanks to the patrol learners who face the cold almost every night to secure the community,” he said.
ALSO READ: Nearly 300 arrested in Pretoria operations
“All seven neighborhood watch members who responded had to work again the following day.
“A community that stands together and selflessly sacrifices their own time is one that will make a difference.”
Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites:
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
