Port Elizabeth thieves apprehended after stealing from local shop

Humewood SAPS took two suspects into custody last week, after they allegedly stole items from a shop in Belmont Terrace.

“Our monitoring centre received a panic alarm signal from the shop on Monday (8 October). The shop owner activated the alarm after two unidentified suspects were allegedly spotted stealing items from his shop,” says Ryan Britz, Port Elizabeth branch manager at Fidelity ADT.

As soon as the alarm was activated, the suspects fled the shop.

“We use an automatic dispatch system which means that the armed response officer closest to any alarm activation is immediately alerted and dispatched. Officer Thembinkosi Booi was closest to the shop and rushed to investigate,” says Britz.

The shop owner gave a detailed description of the alleged suspects to officer Booi, which he could use to patrol the area and try to track them down. The description was also broadcasted to other officers in the vicinity.

“It didn’t take our officer long to locate two suspects who matched the description. He successfully apprehended them before they were handed over into the custody of the Humewood police.

“The shop owner later positively identified the allegedly stolen items that were found in their possession. I urge all business owners in Port Elizabeth to make sure that they have properly working security systems which are tested regularly, so that you can ensure the security of your assets and your staff,” says Britz.