East safety forum catches cellphone theft ring suspects
Patrollers allegedly witnessed the suspects snatching a phone, whereafter a high-speed chase ensued until two suspects were caught after crashing their vehicle.
Patrollers and security companies apprehended two suspects allegedly linked to several cases of cellphone snatching in the east of Pretoria following a chase on Friday, August 2.
According to Old East Safety Forum spokesperson Jarad Frimmel, Greenlyn Village Centre car guards informed patrollers on duty of a white Toyota Corolla with a broken right taillight being used in the commission of crime.
The occupants allegedly attempted to steal patrons’ cellphones.
Frimmel said the mentioned vehicle was then followed and spotted in the parking lot attempting to steal a phone, but the unknowing victim got into her vehicle just in time.
“Members started following the car through Hazelwood, Brooklyn, and Hatfield. Just after midnight, they witnessed a suspect climbing out of the car, grabbing a phone, jumping back into the suspect vehicle and speeding off.”
Frimmel said back-up was called while a chase ensued until the corner of Lynnwood and University roads near Brooklyn where the suspects lost control of the vehicle and crashed.
“The suspects then attempted to flee on foot, but fortunately, two suspects were caught due to teamwork and they were brought back to the accident scene,” said Frimmel.
He said the vehicle was searched and two suspected stolen cellphones were recovered.
“The suspects’ vehicle has been linked to using at least four other different licence plates and the cases will be linked to make a stronger case.”
He said the suspects were handed to the Brooklyn police.
The Brooklyn CPF said in a statement that the vehicle was flagged as suspicious after it got into the Hatfield area and circled the Burnett, Hilda, Prospect and Grosvenor street blocks a few times.
The CPF said after a suspect stole a cellphone, multiple security companies and patrollers chased the vehicle.
“At the corner of University and Lynnwood, the suspect vehicle lost control on the turn and crashed. Three suspects got out of the vehicle and fled. Response team members gave chase. One suspect was apprehended after running across the road in front of a vehicle. Another suspect was caught after being chased on foot. The last suspect escaped.”
The CPF said both caught suspects were taken back to the scene of the accident while police were called.
“The victim also arrived on the scene. Once police arrived, they spoke to the different role players and loaded the suspects in the back of the van. The car was searched by a SAPS member, and five cellphones, three allegedly belonging to the suspects, were found while the other two were suspected stolen.”
Police were yet to comment on the matter at time of publicatition.
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