The arrest was one of at least 250 over the past week, as the City’s enforcement agencies square up for the festive season.
Auxiliary Law Enforcement officers received a tip off on Saturday, 11 December 2021, of a vehicle suspected to be involved in ATM scamming.
A short while later, local security services informed the officers of the vehicle’s location in Plumstead.
They monitored the vehicle, and later noticed a man getting in, and driving up the road to an ATM.
Officers witnessed him making several withdrawals, and when they approached him, he was found in possession of just over R6 000 in cash and a bank card that did not belong to him.
The suspect was detained at Diep River SAPS for further questioning. While at the police station, an elderly woman and her son arrived to open a case of theft of her bank card.
Further investigation confirmed that R5000 was withdrawn from her account and the card the suspect had on him belonged to the elderly victim.
The suspect was detained for possession of stolen property and fraud, as well as a docket opened by the complainant for theft.
‘This is brilliant work done by the Auxiliary service members and a good example of the integration and cooperation between various agencies and organisations to make our city safer. It is also unfortunately a sign of the times – and a warning to the public to please be extremely vigilant this festive season. It’s been a hard year and everyone wants to take a bit of a break and relax, but it is also the time when criminals ramp up their activities. So please, make sure you’re aware of your surroundings at all times, and do not be distracted whilst doing any transactions involving your bank card, whether withdrawing cash or swiping it somewhere. Also make sure that you keep your valuables out of sight at all times,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
In another incident in Grassy Park last night, two Law Enforcement officers were injured in a motor vehicle accident at the corner of Victoria Road and Eighth Avenue.
The officers were driving towards Pelican Park, when another motorist disregarded a stop sign and collided with the officers. The suspect, aged 28, was arrested on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, and reckless & negligent driving.
‘The officers were transported to hospital for treatment. We wish them a speedy recovery and I hope that the suspect is dealt with swiftly by the criminal justice system,’ added Alderman Smith.
In other general enforcement efforts over the past week, the City’s enforcement agencies made 250 arrests
TRAFFIC SERVICE: Officers arrested 79 suspects, impounded 184 vehicles, 100 cellphones and issued 67 738 fines. Of those arrested, 30 motorists were taken into custody for driving under the influence of alcohol, and 11 for reckless and negligent driving.
LAW ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENT staff made 93 arrests and issued 3 991 notices, including 711 fines for non-adherence to the Disaster Management regulations, in particular disregarding curfew and not wearing masks.
The METRO POLICE DEPARTMENT made 78 arrests and issued 4 596 fines for various traffic and by-law transgressions.
Source: City Of Cape Town