Yesterday afternoon, (Thursday, 22nd) at approximately 15:15 a passerby witnessed two unknown people breaking the window of a parked vehicle in Charles Street in the Bloemfontein Central Business District, and stealing a black back-pack with a laptop.
The witness then saw a Tactical Response Team police vehicle passing and quickly notified them about what he’d just witnessed.
After being given the description of the suspects, the three policemen got off the vehicle and chased the suspects on foot until they caught up with them at Charlotte Maxeke Street.
Two male suspects aged 29 and 24 were cornered in a busy grocery store in Charlotte Maxeke Street after they ran, trying to seek refuge. They got arrested.
The owner of the vehicle, a 25-year-old student who was not aware of the incident as he was attending classes at a college nearby was contacted by the police and was thankful to them for retrieving his stolen laptop and documents.
Motorist are once again warned not to leave valuable items lying around in their vehicles as they attract the criminal’s attention and leads to break-ins.
The Provincial Commissioner of the Free State, Lt. General Simon Mpembe applauded the members for their swift and selfless response that led to the arrest. “Serving the community with pride is our priority, and the theft out of motor vehicles have been on the rise recently, and the integrated efforts between the police and the community will assist in minimising such crimes.
The suspects will appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court soon for the charge of theft out of a motor vehicle.
Two male suspects aged 29 and 24 arrested for an attempted smash-and-grab.
-Statement
