Housebreaking suspects arrested in Menlo Park
The partnership and successful working relationship between the South African Police Service (SAPS) Brooklyn, the Community Police Forum (CPF) and the Security Forum attributed in the arrest of two housebreakers over the weekend.
The chairperson for the Brooklyn CPF, Mr Paul Fouchee, received a phone call on Saturday afternoon, 26 November 2016, at about 14:00 from a Menlo Park resident. She needed assistance after her teenage daughter, who was alone at home, phoned her to say that there were intruders inside the yard. Mr Fouchee immediately contact the Security Forum that consist out of different security companies that are working in the Brooklyn policing precinct.
A 39-year-old security officer from CSI Tactical Respond Unit, Mr Nico Mans, arrived first at the scene. He tactically entered the house and found two suspects as they were leaving the house with a television. One of the suspects started to shoot at him. He retaliated by shooting back and wounded one of the suspects in the upper leg. Both suspects fled, the injured one back into the house and the second one jumped into the neighbour’s yard.
Meantime the SAPS and High Risk Unit and other security companies also responded. They managed to arrest the suspect who jumped walls. The wounded suspect was arrested inside the house where he was hiding inside a bathroom.
Housebreaking implements, an unlisenced firearm, stolen property and the vehicle that was used by the suspects were recovered. On Sunday afternoon the neighbour found the second firearm with gloves on top of his roof where the second suspect threw it during his attempted escape. Through further investigation it was established that the vehicle was stolen a few months ago in Brooklyn. One of the suspects is also wanted on a Mamelodi murder case. The two suspects, who are in their thirties and from Mamelodi will appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court soon on charges of attempted murder, housebreaking, possession of stolen motor vehicle and property as well as possession of housebreaking implements.
Brigadier Kushie Nair, Station Commander for Brooklyn SAPS, applauded all that worked together in the execution of these arrests. She commended Mr Mans for his bravery. She said that she is extremely proud of the CPF and the Security Forum and encourage residents to get actively involved in the CPF. The Security Forum was established in April this year and since then many joint operations took place and all worked together in an effort to keep residents and businesses safe. It is only through the participation of communities and strengthened partnerships with police that the fight against crime can be win. Community partnerships are an additional crime fighting resource for the police with proven success.
These two arrests form part of the total arrest of 84 that were made over the weekend in the Tshwane Central Cluster (Brooklyn, Garsfontein, Lyttelton, Sunnyside, Silverton, Pretoria Moot and Villieria) for property, contact and drug related crimes. . Ongoing crime prevention operations will be conducted throughout the festive season.
Communities are once again urged to report any suspicious persons, vehicles (especially ones without number plates) or circumstances to the police immediately by phoning the 10111 emergency-number or the Brooklyn police’s 24-hour number at (012) 366 1735/6. Information with regards to crime can be given to the police anonymously by phoning 08600 10111 or by sending an SMS to 32211. #SaferFestiveSeason#Back2Basics #CrimeMustFall
