At approximately 08h30, the Marshall Security Emergency Dispatch Centre received a call regarding a theft in progress at a vacant property on Addison Drive in La Lucia.
At the same time, a panic activation was received from a neighbouring Marshall Security client, who reported that a suspect had entered their property before fleeing back towards the vacant property. A clear description of the suspect was immediately relayed to all responding Armed Response Officers.
As responding members made their way to the area, the Marshall Security CCTV Control Room began actively monitoring live cameras in the surrounding area for any suspicious activity.
While officers were responding, a suspect matching the description was spotted on Addison Drive. As officers approached, the suspect dropped a white sack and attempted to flee on foot, resulting in a foot pursuit.
The suspect then attempted to climb over a wall fitted with an electric fence on Churchill Avenue. Officers were able to stop the suspect in his tracks and immediately apprehend him. During the attempt, the suspect damaged the electric fence at the property.
The white sack was recovered and found to contain copper piping. Further investigation established that the copper piping had allegedly been stolen from the vacant property on Addison Drive, which is not a Marshall Security client.
The owner of the property where the electric fence was damaged confirmed that a case of malicious damage to property would be opened.
Durban North SAPS arrived on scene shortly afterwards and took the suspect into custody. He was transported to the police station for further investigation and processing and is expected to face several charges relating to the incident.
Marshall Security commends the coordinated efforts of its Emergency Dispatch Centre, CCTV Control Room, and responding Armed Response Officers, whose rapid information sharing, effective coordination, and persistence resulted in the successful apprehension of the suspect and recovery of the stolen copper piping.
This incident once again demonstrates the value of an integrated security approach, combining alarm monitoring, live CCTV surveillance, and boots on the ground to identify, track, and apprehend suspects.
