Weekend crime and successes – Vanderbijlpark

VANDERBIJLPARK. – Sgt. Gertrude Makhale, Communication Officer of the Vanderbijlpark SAPS, said in a media statement that 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.

Makhale also reported the following:

CRIME IN GENERAL

Crime in general is showing a decrease only murders, business robberies and theft of motor vehicles has increased.

Housebreaking cases and business breakings

There is a big decrease in house breakings although we still have house breakings. The areas that were affected are Bophelong Ext.14, Ext.15, CE4, CE5, CE1, SE7, SW2 and SW5.  Items that were stolen are electronic appliances such as washing machine, plasma TV, laptops, DVD player, cell phones, clothes and shoes.  Entry were gained through doors being forced open and windows being broken. A Business breaking happened in Bophelong Ext.10 where the church was broken into and water taps, copper pipes and bath basins were stolen. Another business breaking happened in Rabie Street CE6 where the suspects broke the glass door and stole electrical equipment and electrical appliances to the value of +-R30 000.00.

Business robbery

Happened in Mitchellin Street NW7 where six (6) suspects overpowered the security guards tied them up and stole copper pipes, cell phones and their wallets. Suspects were driving a red sedan vehicle registration was not seen and the model was also not seen. Another business robbery happened in Goodyear Street CW6 where a business was robbed of cell phones and cash by three (3) unknown suspects.  

Common robbery

Happened in Hendrick Van Eck Blvd. where the victim was robbed by two suspects who were approaching him when he was walking at about 17:30 one suspect grabbed his bag and ran away the bag was containing an IPad and two (2) cell phones.

Robbery without a firearm

Happened in Matthews Street in Bophelong where the victim was hit with an unknown object on the head buy a known suspect and he fell.  The second suspect searched the victim took his cell phone and cash.

Theft of motor vehicle

A VW Polo Playa was stolen in Bophelong Ext.17, Nissan X-Trail and a VW Tiguan in Mantevred Plot although one car was found being sold, other one parked somewhere. Suspect is still at large and he is known, Nissan 1400 stolen in Becqurrel Street, Nissan Navara stolen in Gilbert Street CW3, Kia bakkie stolen in CW4 and Fiat Uno stolen in Edgar Wallace Street in SW1.

Theft from motor vehicle

Happened in Bophelong Ext.10 where tyres, mag wheels were stolen, other incident happened in Badenhorst Street CE4 where tyres, car battery and spare wheels were stolen.  Last one happened in Bophelong Ext.11 where car radio and heater system was stolen.

SUCCESSES

The Vanderbijlpark SAPS managed to arrest a total of  24 people over the weekend for various crimes.   4 illegal shebeens were closed and 0 people were arrested for driving under the influence and   5 suspects for possession of drugs.   

Convictions

Our detectives managed to get nine (9) convictions from the court for various crimes. One outstanding conviction was when Cst. Tshidi Rathokolo manged to get a conviction of 12years imprisonment for her suspect of theft case.  This comes after her dedication when she made sure that the suspect will not get out as she checked his records and found out that the suspect has been getting away with his crimes a lot.  We will like to applaud Cst. Tshidi Rathokolo for a job well done.  She must keep it up the good work.