PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Crime fighters in Plettenberg Bay had their hands full over the past two weeks responding to various incidents.
The operations head of the Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA), Otto Olivier, said the period started with several residents reporting suspicious individuals looking over property fences across various neighbourhoods. “Members responded swiftly to these reports and resolved the issues,” Olivier said.
He added that the PBCPA’s Rapid Response team also responded quickly when they were alerted to an attack on a woman near the Hobie Beach boardwalk last week. The suspect could not be found, he said, but the woman was assisted. “While searching for the suspect we received a call about a burglary in progress in the Ladywood area," adding that both suspects were apprehended and handed over to police.
He said the PBCPA members also assisted in a search for a missing man. “The man was found unharmed 10 minutes after the call was received.
'Unresponsive man'
Olivier said Plett Rapid Response medic Sally Turner also responded swiftly when she received reports of an unresponsive man found in the Keurbooms area. “The patient was stabilised and taken to hospital by ambulance.”
He said there were also reports of a suspect having stolen a bank card at an Absa ATM. “The suspect was caught by the public, but assistance was requested to calm the situation. Police were on the scene within five minutes.”
Olivier added that three suspects were caught on CCTV cameras jumping over a fence in Robberg Road. “The owner of the property reported that the suspects fled in the direction of Piesang Valley Road. Several members conducted a detailed search of all escape routes." Two suspects were pinned down in Sewell Street,” he said.
Plettenberg Bay police confirmed that two suspects were arrested and a stolen laptop recovered.
Olivier said several PBCPA members also responded to assist Smhart Security officers when suspects triggered the alarm at the Footsteps Christian School. “Some members took up positions on the N2 and others at various escape routes. A Plett Security guard at Oriental Place spotted suspicious individuals running up Challenge Drive," he said.
Blackie to the rescue
"The suspects went into the dense bush and laid low in the area. Plett Security and Smhart Security kept a close eye on movement in the area from early evening. When a vehicle break-in occurred in Protea Place early the next morning, they were quickly on the scene and chased the suspects down Bowtie Drive.”
Olivier said the suspects split up. “One suspect was caught near Bowtie Estates while the other fled towards Santini Village where he was deterred by a Plett Security guard. He turned around and fled down Julia Avenue into the bushes. Plett K9 Blackie and handler went after the suspect and Blackie subsequently tackled the suspect.”
The suspects were handed over to police.
“Please join me in saluting the magnificent men and women of the PBCPA including all our neighbourhood watch groups’ patrollers, security companies, farm watch and support groups, FMUs, the Bitou fire department, Bitou public safety, the NSRI, Medlife, ER24, PBCPA counsellors, local police, Plett K9 and our Plett Rapid Response team. The cohesion between all security and emergency stakeholders are just incredible. Thank you for working together towards a safer and crime-free Bitou.”
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