Teamwork brought a Nissan 1400 back to eMalahleni, after it was recovered in Cato Ridge.
This happened in about 12 hours.
On Sunday, March 20 a call came through that a response member of the SACCW’s (South African Community Crime Watch) vehicle was stolen.
After a lead was followed, the vehicle was traced to Cato Ridge in Kwa- Zulu Natal.
The owner of the vehicle stated that the vehicle was given to the person to do work with, as well as a load of tools.
“We did not suspect anything on Friday, March 16 as he pitched up for work as usual and then left to go do jobs. He did not come back that day and we did not hear anything until Sunday when he let us know that he will not be returning and is going to work in Durban. He added that we will not find him,” said the owner of the vehicle. “I immediately contacted Crimewatch in KZN as well as JP Moore who finds people. Crimewatch and SACCW eMalahleni said that we should open a case of theft. JP and his colleague left around 11:40 Sunday night and contacted me around 04:45 the next morning to let me know that they are safe in Cato Ridge. At 07:22 I received photos where the person is driving the vehicle and was arrested shortly thereafter.”
He added that the communication between SACCW in eMalahleni and KZN was impeccable.
ALSO READ:
Hijacked vehicle recovered in Daveyton
Toename in voertuigdiefstal
“The vehicle was tracked in 12 hours since we heard from the suspect and this without a tracking device. We owe everyone involved a very big thank you.” Moore commented, saying that he and a colleague drove to Cato Ridge on Sunday night. “The sun just rose and we drove around Cato Ridge, looking for the suspect. The place is only that big. We spotted him driving on a dirt road and I stopped, waiting for him. As he drove past me in the vehicle, I followed him after I saw the registration number I received was the same on the bakkie. He stopped and I pulled in next to him. As I opened my window, his eyes just widened as recognition hit him,” said Moore, “I told him that he could work with or against me. He did not want to co-operate and I requested assistance from the SACCW Upper Highway KZN where Steven King, chief executive officer of SACCW, and Neville Mipping, SACCW co-ordinator, assisted me.”
Steven was contacted by local SACCW operations co-ordinator Maureen Scheepers, asking for assistance and informing him of the incident.
“I received the call from Maureen on Sunday, stating that a Nissan 1400 bakkie was on its way here, with a toolbox on the back. She did mention that JP was on his way here. Yesterday morning I received another call, asking for assistance to recover the vehicle. I contacted Neville. He met with the eMalahleni response member and they notified the police in Camperdown that they have the suspect. He was then taken to this police station,” said King, “This is just a good example of the network that we have and the ‘over bordering’ co-operation. This is not the first time something like this has happened. We always invite people to get involved with the SACCW and anyone who would like to be a part of this in the eMalahleni area can contact Maureen. The more hands and feet we have on the ground, the more crimes we can fight.”
He thanked the team from eMalahleni and their co-operation and Moore who drove to Cato Ridge. “This is fantastic teamwork,” King said.
