Criminals raise hell on Sunday

The City of Cape Town’s enforcement departments arrested 160 people and issued more than 68 000 fines the past few days.

‘Those intent on breaking the law show they have scant regard for the curfew, while the reverence for a Sunday has long gone. It’s no longer a day of rest and recharge, instead has become another day to go about your criminal business,’ said the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
 
At 02:30 on Sunday morning Metro Police Officers came across a vehicle at the intersection of Caledon and Canterbury Streets in the CBD.
 
The 26-year-old driver was pulled over and the officers immediately noticed he was under the influence of alcohol.
 
He was arrested and his four passengers were all issued with curfew by-law fines under the Disaster Management Act.
 
Another drunk driver was arrested when officers on the N2 incoming spotted bakkie driving very slowly.
 
They pulled over the vehicle to offer assistance only to find the 45-year-old driver three sheets to the wind. He was arrested and taken to Nyanga police station.
 
Metro police officers also arrested a teenager for attempted smash and grab on the corner of Jakes Gerwel and Blue Gum in Bonteheuwel.
 
‘Officers received a complaint of smash and grab suspect who attempted to break his way into a car. They responded and gave chase as soon as they saw him. The 18-year-old was searched and officers found sparks plugs and a knife in his possession. He was taken to Bishop Lavis Police Station and it’s certainly not the Sunday afternoon he envisaged,’ said Alderman Smith.
 
On Friday Metro Police Tactical Response Unit confiscated dagga worth R13 000 in Bellville.
 
Officers were conducting crime prevention patrols in Charl Malan Street when they noticed a plastic bag on top of a shutter door of one of the buildings.
 
Upon closer inspection, the officers found 10 parcels and 30 bankies dagga.
 
The dagga was booked in at Bellville police station as abandoned.
 
Other Metro Police arrests include:

On Saturday, June 19 officers stopped and searched a vehicle in Goodwood. The two occupants were arrested after the officers found 5 mandrax tablets and 2 half mandrax tablets in their possession

Swift reaction by officers patrolling in Strand led to the arrest of a cable thief who had the piece of copper cable still attached to the concrete in his possession. The 40-year-old suspect was arrested and taken to Strand police station

Officers in Heideveld arrested two men for the possession of drugs after they were found to carry 12 packets of tik

 
In other operations, City Traffic Service arrested 77 suspects, impounded 187 vehicles, 169 cell phones and issued 64 125 fines.
 
‘Traffic officers continue to clamp down on illegal drag races. In one operation in Paarden Eiland officers arrested 11 suspects and issued 257 fine for various other offences. Five of those arrested were driving drunk and again I cannot emphasise enough how much alcohol and speed are a dangerous and potentially fatal combination. Another drag racing operation in Sea Point netted three drivers for reckless driving and 333 fines were issued for various other offences,’ said Alderman Smith.

Source: City Of Cape Town