City of Cape Town Metro Police Officers have arrested 50 suspects for drug-related offences, driving under the influence of alcohol, and possession of stolen property, in a series of intensified crime prevention patrols in Ocean View, Steenberg, Muizenberg, Somerset West, Atlantis, Durbanville, and along Vanguard Drive.
On Sunday morning, 8 July 2012, members of the Metro Police Camera Response Unit observed three suspects pushing a shopping trolley at the intersection of Vanguard Drive and Bluegum Street. On further inspection, they found six aluminium scaffolding poles in the shopping trolley. It was later discovered that the poles had been stolen from a construction site in Langa. The three suspects, all from Langa, were arrested for the possession of stolen goods and will be detained at the Bishop Lavis Police Station until their court appearance.
That afternoon, the same unit observed two suspects pushing a black wheelie bin along Vanguard Drive. Upon further inspection, they found seven aluminium signboard poles inside the bin. The suspects said they had been cutting the poles that were left on the side of the road next to N2 Gateway houses. The two suspects, both from Bonteheuwel, were taken to Athlone Police Station and charged with possession of possible stolen goods.
Later that evening, members of the Metro Police Camera Response Unit observed yet another suspect pushing a shopping trolley containing eight scaffolding poles along the N2 between Bunga Avenue and Vanguard Drive. The suspect, who resides in Bonteheuwel, admitted that he stole the poles from a construction site in Langa. He was taken to Athlone Police Station where he was charged with possession of possible stolen goods.
On Saturday, 7 July 2012, members of the Metro Police Camera Response Unit arrested a 33 year-old suspect for driving under the influence of alcohol, after they responded to an accident scene at the intersection of Vanguard Drive and Bluegum Street. On arrival, they found that the suspect had knocked over the surveillance camera box, as well as the traffic light control box.
“Although the primary function of the Camera Response Unit is to respond to complaints received from the CCTV camera operators, we want to commend our officers for their vigilance during the crime prevention patrols,” said Metro Police Deputy Chief, Yolanda Faro.
Also on Saturday, officers nabbed six motorists in Philippi East and another 13 in Durbanville, Woodstock and Atlantis – all on charges of drunk driving.
Since Friday night, Metro Police Officers arrested six suspects for drug-related offences during vehicle and foot patrols in Atlantis. In Philippi East, nine suspects were arrested for possession of illegal narcotics after they were found with four packets of tik and three mandrax tablets. Officers were responding to a tip-off received from members of the public.
Meanwhile, one suspect was arrested for possession of possible stolen goods when a shopping trolley and four ceramic pots were found in his possession. The suspect was arrested after he could not explain where he collected or bought the goods, and will be detained at the Woodstock Police Station until his court appearance.
A joint operation between the Film and Publications Board and Metro Police in Athlone, Nyanga and Philippi resulted in the confiscation of 2 233 counterfeit DVDs with an estimated street value of R111 650,00.
While executing search warrants at 13 suspected drug dens in Ocean View, Muizenberg and Steenberg, officers arrested four suspects – all on drug-related charges – after they found and confiscated 54 whole and 17 halves of mandrax tablets and 43 dagga “stoppe”.
Earlier in the week, Metro Police Officers monitored the movements of three suspects from a dilapidated building in Somerset West, after they received information suggesting that they were involved in drug-related activities. Officers arrested the three suspects for possession of illegal narcotics after they were found with dagga.
On Vanguard Drive members of the Camera Response Unit arrested a suspect for theft after following up on information received from the public. The officers were approached by a man who informed them that an unknown person came into his house and took his money. The complainant identified the suspect who, at that moment, was walking in the direction of Langa and alerted the officers. The suspect was arrested and the R1 890,00 in cash was found in his possession and confiscated.
“We will continue with these types of operations and crime prevention patrols in the aforementioned areas, in conjunction with the South African Police Services and other law enforcement agencies,” said Deputy Chief Faro.
