A wanted thief who steals cellphones from victims after offering them a lift in the Umhlanga area was arrested on Sunday afternoon.
Sunday morning just after 08h00 the Marshall Security Emergency Dispatch Centre was alerted to a theft incident in the Umhlanga area where a suspect driving a white VW Golf 7 had stolen a cellphone from a female who he had offered a lift to. Details of the suspect’s description and the wanted vehicle was circulated to all our Armed Response Officers and Special Operations Team members to be on the lookout.
Later that afternoon at approximately 15h45 the same VW Golf was spotted traveling on Umhlanga Rocks Drive. Our team members immediately started to follow the wanted vehicle and managed to bring the vehicle to a stop on M4 South On Ramp from Lighthouse Road. After determining that the suspect matched the same clothing description as the suspect wanted for the theft case earlier in the morning, he was immediately arrested.
Upon searching the suspect, two cellphones were found in his possession. One of the cellphones the suspect could not account for and was later established that the cellphone had been stolen a few minutes prior to our members arresting the suspect. The victim was informed accordingly and proceeded to open case at the Durban North SAPS.
The suspect, the vehicle used in the commission of crime as well as the stolen phone was handed over to the Durban North SAPS for further investigation and processing.
The suspect is believed to be involved in numerous cases of theft in the Umhlanga area using the same modus operandi. We urge members of the public to please report any form of crime to the SAPS and to please be cautious in terms of being offered lifts from strangers.
