MEDIA STATEMENT FROM THE OFFICE OF THE STATION COMMANDER, BRIGADIER NIKIWE HOAEANE
A well informed and empowered community is what we, as Vanderbijlpark SAPS, strive towards, as we keep fighting the good fight against crime. Such a well informed community are more alert and detour criminals. The following weekend crime and crime trends were reported.
CRIME IN GENERAL
House robbery, theft of motor vehicle and rape has increased this month. August ended on a bad note for us and the residents of Vanderbijlpark and Bophelong.
Housebreaking decreased
Our house breakings have decreased although we had houses that were broken into in CW2, CW4, CE2, SE7, SW1 and in Bophelong. Items such as slow cooker, gas bottle, washing machine, fridge, electric iron, TV’s, laptops, play station, projector, cell phones, safety boots, overalls and 4 Mercedes Benz mags were stolen.
Business breakings decreased
A business was broken into in Delfos Blvd NW7 where 4 crane batteries, torch sets, wheel barrow, printer, accumulator grassing kit and a drive socket set were stolen by six (6) suspects who fled the scene when the security guard saw them.
House robbery
SE7 student houses remains a challenge three (3) houses were robbed in SE7 on Saturday 3 unknown suspects robbed the first house at 21:10 in Hugo Nude Street SE7 when thevictim was going out to smoke when he was approached by 3 unknown suspect one in possession of a firearm pointed at him pushed him back to the room together he and his roommate were forced to lay down on the floor a laptop, tablet phone and cash was stolen.
2nd incident happened in William Potter Street SE7 at about 22:40 three (3) unknown suspects robbed the victim’s laptops and cell phones.
3rd incident took place in Colonel Gordon SE three (3) unknown suspects entered the kitchen door at 23:00 pointed the victims with a firearm and a knife searched their rooms and fled with laptops, tablet phones and cell phones. These incidents happened on Saturday at different times and main doors were open students were wide awake suspects knews students are reckless on weekends as they are busy with different activities of recklessness. We will like to urge students to be really responsible on locking their doors when they go in and out of their houses not to pose themselves to be the victims of crime.
Business robbery
Took place in Bophelong Ext.15 three unknown suspects pretended to be customers when two of the suspects withdrew their firearms pointing at customers and the employee robbed the shop the airtime machine, cigarettes and cash.
2nd incident took place in Bophelong Ext.14 victim was sleeping when he heard the people talking and trying to break the door when all of a sudden he heard a big bang on the wall and the wall broke down three suspects got into the shop stole cigarettes, airtime vouchers and cash.
3rd incident took place in Delfos Street NW7 two (2) security guards were overpowered by a group of five (5) unknown suspects who were wearing balaclavas one suspect had a firearm. Suspects assaulted the guards robbed the business copper wire to alleged value of +- R80 000.
Common robbery
Happened in Fitzpatrick Street SE1 the victim left his vehicle idling while trying to open the gate to enter the yard when he saw two (2) unknown suspects in his car taking his handbag, GPS and the wallet containing cash, suspects assaulted the victim with the door of the vehicle when he tried to stop them and fled.
Robbery without a firearm
Happened in Siemens Street CW3 victim was coming out from the drinking place when he was approached by the suspect known to him who threatened him with a knife and robbed him his cell phone and cash.
2nd incident took place Bophelong Ext.7 victim was approached by a suspect known to him as he owes the suspect R200. Suspect stabbed the victim on his thigh fled with the victims expensive tekkies.
Rape
Victim was taken by force at the tavern by her ex-boyfriend who took her to Joko Tea squatter camp assaulted her and raped her. Suspect was arrested and will be appearing to the court soon.
A 32year old man was arrested for attempted rape in Joko Tea squatter camp for attempting to rape a 3year old girl who screamed neighbours heard arrested the suspect and handed him over to the police.
Attempted murder
An alleged male who was driving a white Audi A4 registration known to the police drove away from the Pub after bumping the guy who tried to stop him from fleeing the scene after he bumped one of the customers vehicle. The police are looking for the suspect he will be charged with attempted murder. We are pleading with our community to drink and act responsible, we believe if the guy was responsible stopped and talked with the driver or the manager of the pub where he bumped the car he was not going to face a serious charge like this one. N.B. People just have to act responsible.
Theft of motor vehicle
Theft of motor vehicle has increased a Mazda rustler was stolen in CE2, Nissan Sentra stolen in Bophelong Ext.2, Mazda 323 in CE1, VW Polo Vivo stolen in CW2, VW Polo in SE7, Corsa bakkie stolen in SE7, Nissan NP200 in SW2 and a VW Polo stolen in SW2. Theft out of motor vehicle\ theft from motor vehicle car battery, vacuum cleaner and 4 wheels with rims were stolen in SE3 and in Bophelong.
SUCCESSES
The Vanderbijlpark SAPS managed to arrest a total of 26people over the weekend for various crimes. 2 people for drugs, 0 shebeen closed and 17 people arrested for driving under influence.
SERGEANT GERTRUDE MAKHALE – COMMUNICATION OFFICER
