A suspect was arrested after a garage was broken into in the early hours of this morning and bicycles stolen among others.

The arrest followed the quick reaction from CSC Tactical, which responded to a silent panic alarm from the homeowner.

Five men fleeing the scene on the bicycles were spotted, and a high-speed chase followed.

Reaction officers successfully recovered all the stolen goods in a nearby open field where the suspects had left them and fled on foot.

Marius Botha from SACCW Model Park joined the search and recovered a motorbike as well.

Back at the house, it was discovered that the two dogs were poisoned and the garage door was forced open.

One of the dogs was taken to a veterinarian for treatment.

During a sweep of the area by the reaction officers, SACCW, and the police, a suspicious vehicle was found parked nearby.

READ MORE HERE: Witbank SAPS calls for community action to protect essential infrastructure

The driver claimed he was experiencing a mechanical breakdown.

Red flags were raised when it was discovered that the vehicle was a foreign vehicle, not registered in South Africa, and it had no valid license.

The driver had no identification or driver’s license.

The man was linked to the burglary when police recognised him as someone previously arrested in connection with a similar case.

“The owner was contacted by the response team to ensure no further assistance was needed. She confirmed that all stolen goods had been recovered and expressed her sincere gratitude,” said Piet Cromhout from the security company.

The Acting Station Commander of Witbank SAPS, Colonel Nonhlanhla Kgosana reiterated that partnerships between private security, neighbourhood watch structures and SAPS remain critical in the fight against crime.

“This incident clearly demonstrates the importance of community cooperation and rapid response. We commend CSC Tactical Security Services and the SACCW Neighbourhood Watch for their dedication and commitment to keeping our communities safe,” said Kgosana.

Witbank SAPS continues to encourage residents to remain vigilant and to report suspicious activities immediately.

Witbank SAPS appeals for the public’s help in urgently reporting any damage, theft, or vandalism of essential infrastructure, especially electricity-related infrastructure
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