Dear Friends and neighbors
We would like to share with you a success story emphasizing the importance of community involvement courtesy of Camps Bay Watch and Durbanville Camera Initiative.
Kind Regards
Milnerton CPF Exco
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Crowbar gang gets nailed thanks to alert resident, security company and SAPS
We wish to share a story and crime incident from Bergvliet as it highlights the value of residents who follow neighbourhood watch communications. In this instance a very important arrest and the prevention of a crime. We are also working with detectives to ascertain if any links exist with crimes in Camps Bay or Clifton. Please keep up to date with the incident reports on our website and also pay attention to your sector mail and general CBW mail correspondence.
A wide awake Bergvliet resident who reads her emails from her neighbourhood watch, made an urgent call to the Constantia Valley Information Centre radio control. She reported that several b/males in a light coloured Mercedes had just rung her door bell, asking for a guest house. Having read that this profile and modus was typical of the crowbar type burglars, she was concerned. Radio control put out the alert, and volunteer patrollers responded. A volunteer patroller spotted the vehicle driving very slowly in the Pekalmy area. Whilst reporting the location, he was advised to monitor it. It drove around in circles concentrating on quiet roads. Registration plate details confirmed that it was from out of town.
When, after some minutes the driver noticed the patroller it began to leave the area in a hurry. Other patrollers assisted to monitor and maintain observation. When the Mercedes hit the M3 direction Cape Town, it picked up speed, driving with no lights on in the heavy rain, weaving between cars and changing lanes at every opportunity. The Constantia Watch SRT and ops team, quickly responded to assist, as being independent they are able to leave their focus area.
Whilst maintaining continual telephonic contact with the SAPS Wynbery ops room, the vehicle was followed all the way into Rondebosch. After going through several red traffic lights, reckless driving and driving on the wrong side of the road, the driver fortunately but mistakenly turned into a cul-de-sac. After a brief confrontation with the ops team, just prior to the arrival of SAPS, the 4 suspects abandoned their vehicle and jumped into the fast flowing Rondebosch canal. SAPS vehicles from Rondebosch and Mowbray assisted to search the immediate area, and 2 suspects, very wet ones, were apprehended.
Items found inside the unregistered and hot-wired vehicle included a large sledgehammer, gloves, caps, cell phone and other incriminating evidence.
It has since been established that this vehicle and occupants are specifically wanted on a Cape Town Central case for a burglary in Tamboerskloof on 7th November, and is highly suspected as being involved (due to witness sightings and reports), in burglaries in Kuilsriver, Brackenfell, Oranjezicht and our area.
The vehicle was taken to SAPS specialist units for forensic analysis. Detectives and crime intelligence from all affected areas have been informed so that they can work together to establish links and collation of evidence.
Let's all stay safer together
Ian Merrington – Chairperson Camps Bay Watch
