A THIEF who squeezed out of a holding cell at Montclair police station was tracked down and is now serving a 15-year sentence.
On 27 January at about 2.30pm Siyabonga Ntuli, who was wanted for four housebreakings and thefts in the Montclair policing area, two in the Bayview SAPS policing area and one in the Bellair SAPS policing area, was arrested by Montclair SAPS’ Warrant Officers Rico Naidoo and Craig Inggs and Brighton Beach SAPS crime intelligence.
In the early hours of the following day, Ntuli escaped through the bars of his cell and went on the run. A case of escaping from lawful custody was opened and the police launched a manhunt.
Though he managed to dodge arrest for nearly five months, police continued their investigations and their work paid off. At about 1.30pm on 3 June, W/O Naidoo was tipped off that Ntuli had returned to his home in F section in Umlazi.
The team of W/Os Naidoo, Inggs and crime intelligence lay in wait and at about 3.30pm they got their man.
He later appeared at Durban Court where he was denied bail and W/O Naidoo continued his investigations. Through this, Ntuli was linked to two additional housebreakings and thefts in the Montclair policing area.
On Wednesday, 21 October the 29-year-old was sentenced to 15 years in jail in Durban regional court.
“The management of Montclair SAPS commends the members for their hard work and perseverance in tracking the suspect, especially W/O Naidoo for his dedication and hard work in ensuring the suspect is put behind bars for a long time,” said communications officer, W/O Poobalan Marimuthu.
