Observant neighbours and quick responses from Blue Security resulted in three successful arrests in three separate incidents in Pinetown and New Germany during the long weekend.
“On Monday, just after 10am, Blue Security control centre was alerted by community members that they could see a suspect moving around on the roof of a nearby business premises,” said Blue Security community and media liaison officer, Andreas Mathios.
“On arrival, the reaction officers immediately began patrolling the area in search of the suspect who had last been seen escaping into the surrounding bush,” Mathios said. It had been established that the suspect had gained access to the building through the roof by removing roof tiles and damaging ceiling board. Three spades had been removed from the premises and the suspect had used a stepladder to make his escape.
“The continued patrol of surrounding streets proved successful when our reaction officer stopped a pedestrian, matching the suspect’s description, and began questioning him. The man’s responses revealed knowledge of the incident and the missing spades,” Mathios said. “The suspect was taken back to the scene of the crime where community members identified him as the man seen on the roof. He was then handed over to Pinetown SAPS for further processing.”
In a separate incident in Pinetown, just after 6am on Saturday morning, Blue Security responded to pursuit of a suspect by community members.
“The suspect had been spotted on a school property and had been chased by the security guard on duty, assisted by community members,” Mathios said. “Additional back-up arrived from Blue Security reaction officers, as well as from another armed response company. The combined efforts proved successful in tracking down and apprehending the suspect,” Mathios said.
“Further investigations revealed that the suspect was wanted for multiple housebreakings and theft of items in the area. He was identified by community members at the scene as the individual connected to many of these crimes,” Mathios said. “Shots were fired by some community members during the chase but no injuries were reported. The suspect was arrested and handed over to members of Pinetown SAPS.”
The third successful arrest occurred after a resident had raised the alarm at her home, at around 9.30am on Sunday, after she had spotted a bearded man on her premises.
“The suspect made his escape when the resident screamed at him. The Blue Security reaction officer was successful in apprehending the suspect on a nearby road,” Mathios said. “The man was in possession of five chairs which had been removed from a different property. No damage was reported at the scene of the initial alarm and no injuries were reported. The suspect was handed over to SAPS.”
Residents are reminded to be observant of any suspicious activity in the area, despite the lockdown regulations. “It is also important to check that security systems are operational, that gates and doors are locked and panic alarms are at hand to be used in an emergency. Contact security service providers or the nearest SAPS branch should anything untoward occur. “Quick reactions and detailed descriptions of suspects are also extremely helpful in the fight against crime,” Mathios said.
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