Two suspects were arrested within hours on Monday in separate bin theft incidents, following quick-thinking reports shared across Durban North and Glenashley neighbourhood WhatsApp groups.
At 16:57, a message was shared via a community crime alert group reporting a man pushing a black wheelie bin and rummaging through rubbish along Gleneagles Drive. Shortly afterward, a Marshall Security client reported that their black bin had been stolen from the verge a week earlier on Roehampton Way.
Marshall Security Armed Response Officers were dispatched and located the suspect a short while later on Old Mill Way. When questioned, the suspect was unable to explain how he had come into possession of the bin and was immediately apprehended.
The complainant arrived at the scene but was unable to positively identify the bin as hers. Durban North SAPS arrived shortly thereafter and transported the suspect to the police station, where he was charged with possession of suspected stolen property.
Earlier that afternoon, at 15:06, the Marshall Security Emergency Dispatch Centre received another report via the Home Hawks NHW WhatsApp group. A different suspect had been seen pushing a green wheelie bin along Norrie Avenue.
Officers were dispatched and intercepted the individual on the same road. It was soon confirmed that the bin had been stolen from a Marshall client on Laughton Avenue, Glenashley. The suspect was immediately arrested.
The stolen bin was positively identified by the owner and handed over, along with the suspect, to Durban North SAPS for further processing.
In a third incident, it was later reported that another wheelie bin had been stolen from Danville Avenue, Durban North. That suspect remains at large.
These Durban North bin theft arrests highlight the impact of proactive community involvement, fast reporting, and coordinated response.
Residents are reminded to mark their bins, avoid leaving them on verges longer than necessary, and where possible, empty refuse bags directly rather than keeping bins outside full-time.
